My Coffee Journey
After burning through countless beans and early morning experiments with my espresso machine, I've finally found the code for my perfect cup. It has been a year of trial and error, there are several too bitter shots and too sour shots of espresso. But hey, this is just a hobby about finding an elusive cup of cafe latte that hits both bright fruity notes while keeping that satisfying chocolate punch.
What Actually Works
Through all my testing, I found two crucial elements:
- You need those punchy fruit-forward beans (but not too much - max 30%)
- Back it up with darker, full-bodied beans (about 70%) for the backbone
Bean Deep-Dive
| Origin | What You'll Taste |
|---|---|
| Aceh Gayo | Bright berries, almost wine-like |
| Aceh Mandhailing | Dense, dark chocolate bomb |
| Bali Kintamani | Think sweet oranges meets brown sugar |
| Toraja | Honey sweetness with subtle fruit |
| Brazil Santos | Classic coffee flavor, super rich |
My Go-To Blends
Special Days (30/70 Gayo-Mandhailing)
- Mix: 30% Gayo + 70% Mandhailing
- In the cup: Think berry jam meets dark chocolate
- Perfect for: When you want that coffee shop experience at home
Morning Sun (30/70 Gayo-Kintamani)
- Mix: 30% Gayo + 70% Kintamani
- In the cup: Sweet and bright, but still coffee-forward
- Perfect for: Early morning starter
Calming Kintamani
- Just straight: 100% Kintamani
- In the cup: Clean, bright
- Perfect for: Slow days, mindful moments