Bean Review: The Christmas Blends

Welcome, new comers. The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now you're going to hear about it! You, Kruger. My son tells me your company stinks!

Frank Costanza (Seinfeld episodes “The Strike”)

With all the Christmas spirit different coffee roasters here in the UK offer a festive blend for the season. So I decided to give a try to three different coffees.

Christmas Blend Time 

Ozone Christmas Blend

Ozone’s blend is a mix of Brazil Alta Vista, Guatemala El Eden, and Kenya Gathaiti.

It comes in a medium to dark roast, more medium than dark. You will find some chocolate and spicy notes, a notch of acidity, and long aftertaste. Good for milk based drinks as the chocolate flavours mix well but you will miss some of the spicy notes you will get in single or double espresso shots

Ozone's Art

Roaster: Ozone Coffee

Medium Roast

Christmas Blend 2015

Varietals: Not specified

Score: 4/5

Their package comes with a lovely snowflake design from Sophie Mo

Ozone Coffee Roasters

Coffee Roasters

T: 020 7490 1039

Twitter: OZONECOFFEEUK

HurRave Holiday Blend

The second festive blend I tried was from Rave Coffee. Their HurRave blend is a mix of Indian, Rawanda, and Ethiopian coffee.

Again a medium to dark roast a bit bitter, it has a strong berry finish, and a quite long aftertaste with too many bitter notes. Sadly it felt a bit monotonous for both milk based and espresso shots. Quite strong coffee so probably better for flat white or cappuccino and to cover the disguised a bit.

Rave's Blend

Roaster: Rave Coffee

Medium/Dark Roast

HurRave Blend

Varietals: Not specified

Score: 2.5/5

Rave Coffee

Coffee Roasters

T: 012 8565 1884

Twitter: RaveCoffee

Allpress Christmas Blend

The last one I tried was Allpress Espresso Christmas Blend. It is a mix of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Guatemala Huehuetenango, and Sumatra Aceh.

Medium roast a bit mild, some floral notes, citrus acidity, nice spicy aftertaste. Milk based drinks such as cappuccino quite mild and sweet getting nice balance with the spices and citrus flavours. Much better for espresso shots as flavours lost in flat whites. If you can’t live without milk based then go for a small cup macchiato to keep some of the coffee notes and better balance.

Allpress Blend

Roaster: Allpress Espresso

Medium Roast

Christmas Blend

Varietals: Not specified

Score: 3/5

Allpress Espresso

Coffee Roasters

T: 020 7749 1780

Twitter: AllpressDalston 

The beans were grinded with a Rancilio Rocky grinder and the extraction made with a Rancilio Silvia

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Coffee Enquiry XXXIII: AllPress

She thinks you’re a guy that doesn’t like coffee

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Phone Message”)

Wandering around in Shoreditch I visited AllPress. Espresso drinks or filter brews, some sandwiches, breakfast dishes, and other bigger options for lunch. A big window allows seeing the roaster in action, and you can buy coffee beans or grinder to take home.

The place

The place was completely packed on Saturday, we got a flat white and a macchiato, really lovely coffee, creamy, with a nice bitterness, no latte art.

Coffee time

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco

Beans: AllPress

Score: 4/5

AllPress

T: 020 7749 1780

Approx Damage: £5pp

Area: Bethnal Green

Borough: Tower Hamlets

Twitter: AllPressE2

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Coffee Enquiry XXIII: Granger & Co

Not with that big glass window looking out into the hall. I'd love a good nap. That's the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning 

George Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Nap”) 

Another Aussie place in London opened by chef Bill Granger. I loved the set up of the restaurant with the long bar, plenty tables, and the beautiful windows giving a sensation of space and creating a great atmosphere. Granger & Co menu offers an all day dining with Australian touches. Bill is a celebrity chef with restaurants also in Sydney and Tokyo. 

Creamy Coffee

The Place was packed and we were a huge group, but in no time they got together a couple tables. The food I spotted passing nearby looked really nice, so I went for some nibbles before the coffee. The courgette fries was the choise  really nice, amazing tempura style, the batter is a bit light, and the sauce was amazing. 

The group

Courgette

Coffee wise I got a couple macchiato and a Flat White. Marisol went for a Flat White. Really nice flavour and aroma but a bit mild for me. Latte art with top marks for the Flat White but not for the small cup. 

Another Flat

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco

Beans: Allpress Espresso

Score: 3/5

Macchiato

All in all coffee is good, but I will comeback for the brunch, as the food seems to dominate in Bill's place.

Granger & Co

T: 020 7229 9111

Australian Cafe

Approx Damage: 20pp (Including food)

Area: Notting Hill

Borough: Kensington & Chelsea

Twitter: Grangerandco

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