Washed

Smok (Polish for “dragon”) is a new roaster. I decided to give them a go, even though this coffee is roasted on the darker end of my tolerance (as I prefer light roasts). The bag design seems to combine three things: op art, pixel art (scans don’t do them justice, as they are primarily on the sides and at the bottom of the bag), and swing tags. The latter are an interesting idea, admittedly aesthetically pleasing, but not really functional - they make opening the bag needlessly difficult. ...

Bought impulsively after tasting an exceptionally clear and fruity batch brew in a corner cafe. Even though the brew I made at home didn’t taste quite as good, it left a very pleasant, lingering fruity aftertaste after every sip.

A typical Lacava all-rounder, perfectly suitable for work.

Normally I steer away from overly fruity coffees like this during winter months, but this one was so good that I emptied the bag in a mere two weeks. It seems that regardless of our seasonal preferences, a good roast will always find its way to the cup very quickly.

Hardly ever does a cup in a café dazzle you on the first sip. That was the case with White Lotus. The rich floral taste was so impeccable, it stopped me mid-thought and made me savor it for a while. I decided to order a bag before I even finished my cup. Sadly, I wasn’t able to replicate that taste at home. The key learning is that it’s not only the grind and brewing method that count. Serious specialty cafés also invest in equipment that ensures their water has the right mineral content. ...

I have yet to dislike a coffee that came in a stylish box. I wish more roasters invested in the experience like that. DAK managed to produce a roast and name it in a way that perfectly encompasses the taste. “Ice Tease” tasted exactly like it sounds — like a cup of black ice tea with lemon. During a traditional blind cupping with friends, this one was identified immediately after the first slurp. ...

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.