Review #139: Fika Coffee

Name of Roaster: Fika Coffee

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Lutsen, MN

Name of Roast: Organic Guatemala

Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium Origin of Beans: Asprocdegua, Guatemala Price: $16 (12 oz.) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Drip Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Ten days Aroma: Opening the bag, we noted rich baked chocolate brownie, crunch bar, crisp brownie edges, a hint of smokiness, and mixed red berry jam. Bright and berry-forward on the grind, with baking spices and cake, reminiscent of a fig newton, following. Grape juice, light brown sugar, strawberry, and slight chocolate cake on the pour.

Flavor Profile: Bright and syrupy on the entry, mid-palate, rising to the roof and clutching the floor at the middle of the tongue. Notes of grape, red apple skin, orange marmalade, mango, molasses, toffee, and thick mid-percentage dark chocolate pervade, with a smoky aromatic following that fills the palate. Sides catch citrus of lime and orange, while the tip of the tongue receives muted notes of lemon.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): We sampled this coffee deep in the north woods of Wisconsin after a day trip up the western Lake Superior coastline, which is how we happened to pick up a bag from Fika. For those seeking elevated roasts in the remoteness of northeastern Minnesota, Fika is a great pick. We are also big fans of their lovely bag designs. We sampled this coffee alongside a savory breakfast of Nueske's bacon and toasted Dakota-style bread.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 7.9.

Where to Buy: Fika Coffee