Review #101: Qualia Coffee Roasters

Name of Roaster: Qualia Coffee Roasters

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Washington, D.C.

Name of Roast: Nicaragua Las Nubes Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium

Origin of Beans: Las Nubes, Matagalpa, Nicaragua Price: $15 (12 oz.) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Three Days Aroma: Opening the bag, we noted baked chocolate chip cookie, spiced cocoa, crisped brownie edges, toffee, and soft ganache. The coffee showed brighter after the grind, with baking spices, soft chocolate chip, soft red berry, and a touch of kindling appearing. Light brown sugar, caramel, and raw cane sugar were found on the pour.

Flavor Profile: Light-bodied and full-flavored, the coffee arrives by hitting the roof of the mouth first, then trailing to the back of the mouth before falling to the front half of the tongue. Initial flavors of light brown sugar and ganache are followed by soft florals, steel-fermented Chardonnay, soft plum, and a touch of macerated raspberry. The sides of the tongue grab lime and orange, while the finish, bright and clean, is of cocoa nibs and oak bark.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): This was a pleasant coffee that is a step above your average cup, but it did not match the power and force of a different Las Nubes we tried last year from Saint Frank. This does not detract from the quality of the cup, however; the coffee is pleasant and light, and it pairs quite well with savory items, such as the bacon and fried egg sandwich we tried with the coffee. If you are in D.C., and you find yourself in the Petworth neighborhood, we recommend stopping in and picking up a bag.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 7.7. Where to Buy: Qualia Coffee Roasters

Looking to do a review of your own? Hop over to the Community and get to it!