Review: Rare Bird Coffee Roasters Colombia La Hermosa (Falls Church, Virginia)

I visited the Rare Bird Coffee Roasters cafe in early January 2023. Normally, I prefer to drink black coffee, but if I see an unusual item on a cafe’s menu, I’ll try it out of curiosity. That morning, I tried their cardamom vanilla latte (very sweet, creamy, and dessert-like), and picked up a bag of […]

Review: ManLao River Coffee China Nagy Peaberry (Kunming, Yunnan, China)

When you think of coffee-growing countries, what places immediately come to mind? For me, I think of Ethiopia, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, and Guatemala. China wasn’t even on my radar as a coffee origin at all until last year, but the coffee industry in China has been quietly and steadily growing for decades. Tea is still […]

Review: Waka Coffee, 100% Arabica Freeze-Dried Colombian Instant Coffee (Walnut, California)

Instant coffee was my introduction to coffee. Taster’s Choice was what we had in our house while I was growing up, for my mom’s consumption (my dad didn’t drink coffee). I remember feeling a grand feeling of accomplishment when I was old enough to be entrusted with making my mom a cup of coffee – […]

Review: Onyx Coffee Lab Ethiopia Guji Uraga (Springdale, Arkansas)

I’ve reviewed coffee from Onyx before; they are a roaster that’s making a name for themselves nationally, being featured in lists like Gear Patrol’s 25 Best Coffee Roasters in America (June 2018) and Thrillist’s 2017 list of the Best 21 Coffee Roasters in the Country. When I was contacted recently by Javaya to do a review […]

Review: Cartel Coffee Lab Ethiopia Kochere (Phoenix, Arizona)

When you think of airport coffee, you probably think of Starbucks, right? Well, if you ever find yourself in the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, make your way over to Terminal 4 to visit Cartel Coffee Lab’s PHX location. As is typical when I travel somewhere new, when I arrived in Phoenix, I Googled “best […]

Review: Batdorf and Bronson Kenya AA Gatumbi (Atlanta, Georgia)

This is the second of two bags I picked up from the Batdorf and Bronson cafe in Atlanta (the first was their excellent Dancing Goats Blend). I’m always intrigued by Kenyan coffees as no two of them have ever been quite the same, so I was curious what awaited me in this bag. Whole bean: […]

Review: Commonwealth Coffee Panama Carmen Estate (Denver, Colorado)

I’ve had my eye on trying Commonwealth Coffee for a while, since I saw that Oak Lawn Coffee in Dallas carries their beans along with Heart Coffee (one of my favorite roasters). Commonwealth is a young company (it’s only been around for a little over two years), and when I read the “About Us” section […]

Review: Heart Coffee Roasters Kenya Muranga (Portland, Oregon)

It’s nearly Monday afternoon where I live, but I hope you’re all having a bunch of happy mondays wherever you are! Another week beginning, another Heart coffee to review. Whole bean: This has a light and slightly tannic aroma that smells like sliced apples – not as tart as something like a Granny Smith; maybe more like […]

Review: Chromatic Coffee Gamut Espresso (San Jose, California)

I have a new favorite espresso blend!!! With a name like Chromatic, this is clearly an espresso blend after my own heart. This coffee company has been on my list of must-try roasters for some time now. I was very much hoping to get my hands on a bag of Chromatic Coffee during my recent trip […]

Review: Intelligentsia Ethiopia Tikur Anbessa (Chicago, Illinois)

I’m pretty sure that Intelligentsia needs no introduction around here. I tried a V60 pourover cup of this coffee at Vero’s Coffee Bar and was struck by the flowery, peachy flavors. Naturally, I had to bring a bag home! Whole bean: Creamy, earthy scent that smelled a bit like pinenuts with a hint of butterscotch. V60: […]