Espresso

raditional Washed, Primarily SL-28 & SL-34, with some Ruiru 11 & Batian, Lightest Roaster Influence - Best brewed with Filter
3 key notes: [Rhubarb, Gooseberry, Whitecurrant]

One of our favourite Kenyans of the 24/25 season returns in fine form, with a slightly different presentation this year - the old-school Kenya currant-tomato axis as a backbone but with a super bright, electrifying acidity and complex herbal/citrus notes.

We're tasting:
Bright & fresh aromatics - tomato leaf, orange zest and lemon verbena. In the cup it's super juicy and bright with classic Kenyan currant notes - we find whitecurrant as the prominent character alongside blackcurrant leaf, white grapefruit & a juicy gooseberry & poached rhubarb backbone. As it cools the acidity and aromatics remind us of a high energy zippy riesling.

Traditional Washed, SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, Batian. (AA Screensize), Medium-Light Roaster Influence - Best brewed with Espresso
3 key notes: [Grape, Blackcurrant Jam, Cola Bottles]

Honestly, we all love a Kenya espresso. We don't know why we haven't done one earlier. Yes, it's old school - but we're here for it Having hosted Sucafina for a fresh crop cupping of Kenya pre-shipment samples, this lot absolutely jumped off the table at us for its sweetness, with all the rich fruits and jammy notes we love in a a classic Kenya. Nicely rounded, we thought this would be a belter spro without needing screaming acids to be tuned down.

We're tasting:
Classic Kenya espresso aromatics - buttery stewed fruits & caramels, alongside brûléed grapefruit. In the cup it's syrupy and dense with purple grape juice, blackcurrant jam, dark honey and butter as the front notes, and a distinct cola-bottles esq note to the finish. Bright + rich, super nice. 

In Milk - Blackberry Panna cotta

Version 15 - 25% Burundi FW, 25% Colombia FW, 50% Brazil Nat. Medium to Heavy Roaster influence - solid milk espresso choice but great across all purposes.
3 key notes: [Milk Chocolate, Dark Fruits, Sweet]

Roasted to produce a solid “house espresso”, with distinct chocolate and darker fruit notes, an all-rounder suitable for milk, alt-milk and black coffees. Coffees seasonally sourced to ensure consistent core flavours year round.

We're returning to a run of Burundi and Rwanda again for the winter to spring season. There is no two ways about it - by engaging with meaningful purchase volumes from these countries, you will hit the odd potato. Running a higher ratio of Brazil will reduce it, and all the partners we purchase from have excellent sorting that reduce the incidence further. We recommend discarding any you find and giving a little extra purge, they should be very infrequent; using a tupperware to hold the discard grounds instead of an open knock box can be a useful trick.

We're tasting: Creamy milk chocolate and almond butter as the dominant notes, with muscovado & dried fruits - apricot & golden raisin, alongside
gentle baking spice. 

In milk: Butterscotch & saffron bun