Medium roast coffee balances the beans' natural flavors and the roasting process, providing a well-rounded taste profile. When selecting a medium roast, look for a balance of acidity and sweetness, with caramel, nuts, and chocolate notes and a medium body.
Bean Source Country:
BrazilBrazil, the world's largest coffee producer, has traditionally been known for its vast output of commodity-grade coffee, including a significant volume of Robusta beans. However, in recent years, the country has made a concerted effort to enhance the quality of its microlots, aiming to solidify its reputation within the specialty coffee sector including greater cultivation of higher-quality Arabica. These initiatives have contributed to developing coffee microlots with distinct flavor profiles, with Brazilian coffee notably known for rich notes of chocolate, nuts, and fruit.
Bean Source Region:
Minas GeraisBrazil's shift from commodity production to specialty grade Arabica has resulted in the Minas Gerais region producing coffee renowned for its outstanding quality and rich flavors. The state's unique combination of high altitude, fertile soil, and favorable climate provides ideal growing conditions for coffee, resulting in beans with a well-balanced profile characterized by a pleasant aroma, mild acidity, and a smooth, full-bodied taste.
Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure. It is characterized by its rich flavor and distinctive crema—the creamy layer that forms on top of the extracted process. When evaluating espresso, coffee experts often focus on key tasting characteristics such as aroma, flavor, body, and aftertaste. Aroma refers to the fragrant smells released during brewing, while flavor encompasses the coffee's overall taste profile, including notes of sweetness, bitterness, acidity, and richness. Body refers to the coffee's texture or mouthfeel, with descriptors like full-bodied, medium-bodied, or light-bodied. Aftertaste, or the finish, pertains to the lingering flavors and sensations experienced after swallowing the coffee. A well-prepared espresso is prized for its balance and complexity, combining these sensory attributes into a harmonious whole.