2.39(6)
All Reviews(6)
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
3.50 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
3.50 - Finish
3.50 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
3.50 - Balance
Cupping Method:Tasted as espresso and Americano at Cicada in Central Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
175 roasts rated, avg score of 4.27
3.00 - Average
3.50 - Aroma
3.00 - Finish
2.50 - Flavor
4.00 - Acidity
3.50 - Balance
Cupping Method:Vietnamese drip
93 roasts rated, avg score of 4.24
3.00 - Average
3.50 - Aroma
3.00 - Finish
3.00 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
2.50 - Balance
Cupping Method:Pour over with cream
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
2.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
2.00 - Quality
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
1.00 - Average
2.00 - Aroma
1.50 - Finish
1.00 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
3.00 - Balance
Cupping Method:Cold brew can for Whole Foods
It took me a while to come back to Nguyen Coffee Supply. Some of the earliest coffees I had from them were among the worst I've ever tasted, heavy and scorched in a way that lingered unpleasantly. I think two of those were badly overroasted/quality control issue. But Vietnamese coffee has improved a lot in recent years, and Nguyen seems to have matured into a more steady mass market roaster/brand. This espresso is chocolate forward, with a bit of complexity but without the overbearing dark roast notes that once dominated. There is a hint of smoke and a touch of raw walnut, finishing in a dark bittersweet chocolate linger. Through the middle comes a prune and plum character that adds some depth. There is still a faint rubber undertone (robusta?), but it is more restrained than in previous roasts. The crema is just so-so, but the mouthfeel overall is acceptable and reasonably balanced, with a couple twists and turns. As an Americano, it falls apart for me. The added water and chill bring out the rubbery and bitter elements, flattening what little fruit the espresso had and leaving a hollow finish. Whatever nuance existed in the shot seems lost in the dilution. I don't think I'll be seeking this out any time soon but Nguyen is the Vietnamese coffee archetype now for better or worse.
It's fine…
This is my second shot with Nguyen Coffee Supply, after not especially liking their Moxy Blend. I bought a can of their Classic Black Cold Brew at Whole Foods last week to give them another tried. Nguyen Coffee Supply, is an Vietnamese-American brand and I want to support. The verdict, it's not for me. This cold brew had pronounced rubbery notes, reminiscent of the criticisms often thrown at Robusta beans. The taste profile leaned heavily towards a burned flavor, and while I wouldn't describe it as harsh, it left an aftertaste reminiscent of cigarette ash. A dark roast cold brew often carries a depth of flavor, but in this case, it felt overpowering. This was a first for someone who rarely leaves a cold brew unfinished. But it's essential to remember that taste is subjective. What might be overpowering for one could be just right for another.