Starbucks
Melange Nordique / True North Blend

Roaster Location: Flag of United States Seattle, Washington
Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

3.50(1)

Shop directly with this roaster
Roast Level: Blonde
Bean Source Country: International Blend

Reviews(1)

Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

3.50(1)

1 rating
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
100%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

Latest Reviews and Tasting Notes

  • Avatar
    Theo Chan, Managing Editor

    1472 roasts rated, avg score of 4.30

    Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

    3.50 - Average

    Rated 4 stars out of 5

    4.00 - Aroma

    Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

    3.50 - Finish

    Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

    3.50 - Flavor

    Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

    3.50 - Acidity

    Rated 4 stars out of 5

    4.00 - Balance

    Tried the Melanage Nordique / True North Blend at the Montreal airport.

    When it comes to Starbucks coffee, one peculiar characteristic that stands out is the notably high temperature at which they brew their coffee. This method is not only a potential safety concern but also seems to impact the flavor profile by extracting more bitter notes.

    The coffee bag (pictured) from Starbucks describes the flavor notes as milk chocolate and nuts. However, my experience differed slightly. Once the coffee cooled down a bit, I detected more dark chocolate and walnuts. Specifically, the walnut flavor had a raw quality to it, contributing to a slight bitterness that was not entirely unpleasant. Overall, the coffee was relatively simple and smooth, lacking complexity but remaining drinkable.

    A comparison can be made with Starbucks' Green Apron blend, which is categorized as a blonde roast. Despite being labeled as a blonde roast, Green Apron is sweeter and shares some flavor similarities with the aforementioned blend. However, it's important to note that Starbucks' definition of a blonde roast is more akin to a medium roast in the third wave coffee world, far from what is traditionally considered a blonde or light roast.

    In terms of roast level and taste, I found this Starbucks blend comparable to two other coffees I tried earlier this week: one from Cafe Charlevoix, an artisan roaster from northern Quebec, and Lavazza Qualita Rossa. When brewed as a filter coffee, the Starbucks blend surpassed Lavazza in terms of smoothness and ease of drinking, though it did not match the sweetness and depth of flavor found in the artisan roast from Cafe Charlevoix.

    In conclusion, while Starbucks' hot brewing temperature may contribute to some bitterness, the coffee remains smooth and relatively simple. It offers a familiar, if not entirely accurate, flavor profile that can be compared to other medium roasts, providing a dependable and easily accessible coffee experience.

    Cupping Method:At Starbucks kiosk at Montreal Airport

    6 months ago·See more from Theo

More Details

Roast Level: Blonde
Blonde roast beans have a light brown or amber color and a dry surface. Blonde roast coffee tends to have a delicate and nuanced flavor, with hints of acidity and brightness. It often exhibits floral, fruity, or citrusy notes, and the body is usually lighter compared to darker roasts. The blonde roast's flavor profile allows the coffee beans' natural characteristics to shine through, offering a smooth and refreshing cup of coffee with a clean finish.
Bean Source Country: International Blend
International blend coffee refers to a blend of coffee beans sourced from different regions or countries worldwide. International blends combine beans with distinct flavor profiles and characteristics, resulting in a harmonious and complex cup of coffee. The quality of an international blend depends on the expertise of the coffee roaster, who carefully selects and combines beans to achieve a specific flavor and balance. Roasters who excel in crafting international blends have a deep understanding of the different growing regions, varietals, and processing methods.

Best Rated Roasts of Starbucks

Starbucks is a coffee roaster from Seattle, WA United States. We have 103 cataloged roasts with 71 total reviews with a score of 4.00.

International Rank: #794 out of 1130
Name Roast Level Bean Source
Rated 4.75 stars out of 5

4.75(2)

LightInternational Blend
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

--
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

--
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

--
Rated 4.5 stars out of 5

4.50(2)

DarkInternational Blend

Similar Roasts

Name Roaster Roast Level Bean Source
Rated 4.67 stars out of 5

4.67(6)

Greater Goods Roasting MediumInternational Blend
Rated 4.7 stars out of 5

4.70(5)

Passenger / Necessary Coffee -International Blend
Rated 4.58 stars out of 5

4.58(6)

Sparrows Coffee MediumInternational Blend
Rated 4.75 stars out of 5

4.75(4)

Brandywine Coffee Roasters -International Blend
Rated 4.83 stars out of 5

4.83(3)

Counter Culture MediumInternational Blend
Rated 4.63 stars out of 5

4.63(4)

Resident Coffee Roasters MediumInternational Blend
Rated 4.63 stars out of 5

4.63(4)

Snake River Roasting Company MediumInternational Blend
Rated 4.5 stars out of 5

4.50(5)

Karma Coffee DarkInternational Blend
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(2)

Del's Coffee Roasters DarkInternational Blend
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(2)

Aero Coffee Roasters MediumInternational Blend