Spiced coffee, rooted in Somali hospitality

A story in every bag.

Specialty coffee paired with warm, aromatic spices, created to bring people together. Made for slow mornings, shared tables, and the stories that unfold around them.

4.6 from 11 reviews
Ethically sourced
Somali inspired
Rich in tradition

Meet the blends

Three blends, three moods

Each QISO blend begins with coffee and takes on its own character through spice.

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The Flagship

Friday House

Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove

Bold ginger leads, balanced by cardamom, cinnamon, and clove, with the floral brightness of Ethiopian Sidama coffee.

$27.00 Choose grind

The Bold One

First Fire

Star Anise, Ginger, Cinnamon

Aromatic star anise leads, balanced by ginger and cinnamon for a deep, warming cup with a distinctive spiced finish.

$27.00 Choose grind

The Cozy One

Winter Cabin

Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg

Warming ginger leads, softened by cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg for a smooth, comforting finish.

$27.00 Choose grind

Our story

What makes QISO different

Coffee and spice, together

Every bag pairs carefully selected coffee with real aromatic spices, blended together and ready to brew.

Inspired by Somali coffee rituals

QISO carries forward the warmth, aroma, and connection of the coffee traditions we grew up with, while giving each blend its own story.

Two ways to brew

Choose Stovetop / Fine for a rich, layered cup, or Pour-Over / Medium for a cleaner, more expressive finish.

The spices

Spices that travelled to our cup

The spices in QISO have travelled for centuries. Somalia's coast sat on the Indian Ocean routes that carried them, and in Somali homes they became part of everyday hospitality: in a glass of shaah, a cup of coffee, and the sweets served alongside.

Ginger

Sinjibiil · Ginger

A warming lead

Around the world

A root first grown in tropical Asia and now used almost everywhere, from Indian chai to Yemeni qishr, a drink brewed from coffee husks and ginger.

In Somali homes

One of the spices that flavors shaah, Somali spiced tea, and the warmth that leads in our blends.

In our blends: Friday House, First Fire, Winter Cabin

Cardamom

Heyl · Cardamom

A gentle brightness

Around the world

Green pods from southern India, prized across the Arabian Peninsula, where coffee is often brewed with cardamom.

In Somali homes

Heyl goes into shaah, into a glass of warm milk before bed, and into xalwo, a traditional Somali sweet.

In our blends: Friday House

Cinnamon

Qorfe · Cinnamon

A soft, rounded spice

Around the world

The inner bark of a tree native to Sri Lanka, carried across the Indian Ocean for thousands of years. In Mexico it flavors café de olla.

In Somali homes

Used to spice shaah and part of xawaash, the everyday Somali spice blend.

In our blends: Friday House, First Fire, Winter Cabin

Clove

Dhagayare · Clove

A deep, lingering note

Around the world

Dried flower buds from the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. By the late 1800s, Zanzibar on the East African coast grew most of the world's cloves.

In Somali homes

Part of xawaash and spiced rice and pasta dishes, and sometimes roasted with coffee beans for bun.

In our blends: Friday House

Star anise

Star anise

A bold, sweet edge

Around the world

Star-shaped seed pods from southern China and Vietnam, essential in Chinese five-spice and Vietnamese pho.

In Somali homes

Not a traditional Somali coffee spice. We added it to First Fire as part of our own chapter.

In our blends: First Fire

Nutmeg

Nutmeg

A cozy finish

Around the world

The seed of a tree native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia, grown today in places as far apart as Indonesia and Grenada.

In Somali homes

Used in xalwo, alongside cardamom.

In our blends: Winter Cabin

Reviews

Shared mornings, shared words

4.6based on 11 reviews
“Really interesting concept for coffee”
Faiza · Verified buyer
“I bought one bag to try, and came back for the others”
Sarah M. · Verified buyer
“I love how QISO feels thoughtful and refined, making my daily coffee ritual feel special”
Daniel R. · Verified buyer
“The balance of flavor and aroma is impressive, delivering a premium coffee experience that genuinely feels crafted with care inside”
Emily K. · Verified buyer
“From the first sip, you can tell this coffee is made with intention, quality, and real attention to detail always”
Aisha H. · Verified buyer
“There’s a comforting depth to QISO that makes it perfect for slow mornings and unhurried moments at home every time”
Lauren P. · Verified buyer
“Wow just wow. Friday House is easily my favorite, smooth, spiced, and not overpowering”
Natalie W · Verified buyer
“From the first sniff and sip this reminded me of hooyo's kitchen growing up. There is no more struggle to find authentic Somali coffee because of Qiso”
Omar · Verified buyer

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Reviews are sent to us by email and added to the site by hand.

Events

Bring the QISO cart to your event

Hosting a gathering? We bring the QISO coffee cart and serve our spiced coffee to your guests. Tell us about your event and we will get back to you with availability and details.

  1. Send a requestShare the date, location and how many guests you expect.
  2. We confirm the detailsWe reply with availability and everything you need to know.
  3. We serve your guestsWe set up the QISO cart and serve fresh spiced coffee.

Request a booking

Sending a request does not confirm a booking. We will reply by email.

Questions, answered

What makes QISO coffee different?

QISO blends specialty-grade beans with inspiration from Somali coffee rituals, where tradition shapes warmth, balance, and storytelling in every bag.

Where is QISO coffee sourced from?

We prioritize responsibly sourced coffee from trusted origins that support ethical farming practices, quality, and care at every step, from the farm to your cup.

How should I brew QISO coffee?

Choose Stovetop / Fine for a rich, layered cup, or Pour-Over / Medium for a cleaner, more expressive finish. Brewing instructions are included with every bag, and our brew guide works out the amounts for you.

Is QISO coffee freshly roasted?

Yes. We roast in small batches to give each coffee the attention it deserves, resulting in a fresher, more balanced, and more flavorful cup.

What does “A Story in Every Bag” mean?

Rooted in Somali hospitality, or marti-saar, it reflects our belief that coffee is a shared moment meant to be slowed down and savored.