Washed

A complex taste profile that required dedicated time to appreciate. Drinking it mindlessly while doing something else felt wasteful. A reminder that high-quality coffee deserves dedicated attention.

After a recent rather disappointing experience with coffee from Belarus, I kept my expectations low. This one, however, turned out to be surprisingly pleasant. I rarely can taste all of the notes the roaster lists on the packaging. This time I could distinctly taste all four: orange, caramel, chocolate, and blueberry. Peruvian coffees definitely deserve more attention.

A gift from abroad. While it doesn’t match the quality of the rest of the lineup here, it served as a great drink for multitasking. For instance, while working or attending online business calls. P.S. I rarely get a chance to try their coffee, but they seem to change the design of their bags every time. Interestingly, judging by the sticker on the bottom of the bag, Belarus levies excise tax on specialty coffee. ...

This one is S-tier. The carefully crafted and designed box truly matches the quality of every bean. During blind testing in cupping ceremonies with my friends — hosted 3 times with 4 different coffees each time — it won unanimously every single time. Surprisingly few roasters put as much attention into the design of their packaging. Scandinavians truly excel on that front.

La Cabra is Spanish for “goat”, a rather peculiar name for a Danish roaster. It might be a reference to the coffee origin story from Ethiopian folklore. My first encounter with them was during a short trip, when I walked into a promising-looking coffee shop and was served an incredibly clean cup brewed with a Delter Press. A coffee shop serving brews from Delter is such a rare occurrence, and having it taste so incredibly clean naturally led me to order a bag. Their prices are on the higher end, but the quality is impeccable. They promise a lot and actually deliver. This one worked well in both the AeroPress and Delter as a daily brew. ...

This one is a very comfortable all-rounder that I’d recommend to anyone willing to sip their daily coffee while doing something else, like working or reading. Lacava doesn’t disappoint, and the price is appropriate for the quality it offers.

The bag design itself deserves some attention. Instead of a sticker or print, there is a designer label similar to the one found on clothes. A very creative and unconventional approach. Taste-wise the coffee also delivers on all fronts. I can’t say I felt mulberry (never tried a fresh one, though), but grapefruit and mirabelle plum notes were noticeable. Mexican coffee is also not easy to come by where I live. ...

Lesson learned about “omniroast”: too dark for filter, too light for espresso. You should probably choose coffee tailored to your specific expectations.