Review #79: Essence Coffee Roasters

Name of Roaster: Essence Coffee Roasters

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Iroquois, SD

Name of Roast: Kenya Gititu Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium Origin of Beans: Tetu, Nyeri, Kenya Price: $18.25 Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Three Days Aroma: Tearing open the bag, we caught scents of rich chocolate brownie, dark chocolate cocoa nibs, a touch of graham, and ganache. On the grind, crisp molasses cookie, cocoa powder, and hint of red berry showed. The pour revealed rich brown sugar, caramelizing cane sugar, molasses, and agave syrup.

Flavor Profile: The coffee had a mid-palate entry, with medium-to-full body that later developed into a full body. Upon the sip, the coffee immediately moves to center of tongue and takes up residence, with the flavor profile emanating radially. A rich, lush chocolate note hits first, balanced and soft, but not delicate. Soft cherry, apple, a touch of blood orange, and cranberry are perceived, and the amalgam evolves into fruit punch as it cools. Tart lime and orange show on the tip of tongue, lemon and lime on the sides. Aromatics on the finish of soft medium-percentage dark chocolate.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): Dynamic and changing, this is a great cup to have on its own. Paired with a savory breakfast of sage sausage, a fried egg, and toast, it was the perfect accompaniment. This roaster hails from a town with a population of 266, and every resident should be happy to have a cup of this brew. If you find yourself on Interstates 29 or 90 in South Dakota and are looking for an excursion, or if you happen to be driving along Highway 14, this roaster makes a proper cup worth a stop. And if you can't make it there, we have a link below that should suffice. Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 8.4. Where to Buy: Essence Coffee Roasters Looking to do a review of your own? Hop over to the Community and get to it!