Team Favourite: January

To keep track of all the standout coffees we showcase throughout the year, we’ve decided to introduce a monthly favourite retrospective. The first vote to determine the January winner took place earlier this week, and although it was close, Ruvumbu stole the prize!

A first-time purchase, this exceptional Rwandan darling was chosen for its classic, rustic Red Bourbon flavour profile typical of Rwandan coffee, juicy berry acids, orange finishing and smooth custardy mouthfeel. Winning by two votes only, Rwanda was without a doubt the winning origin with the natural lot from Huye Mountain coming in at a close second.

Now, you aren’t wrong if you think almost all we think and talk about is coffee. Especially our roasting team who spend as much time cupping, measuring, tasting, comparing and talking about our coffee, as they do roasting our coffee. Here are some notes on their personal January favourite, how best to roast it, and when to enjoy it.

TOM MERROW-SMITH:

Which was your favourite Square Mile Coffee for January?
Ruvumbu from Rwanda.

What did you enjoy about this coffee?
A classic Rwandan flavour profile adding rich diversity to our offering.

Your brewing recommendation for Ruvumbu?
Kalita, filter brew with flatbed, gives most even extraction bringing out all its sweetness and natural characteristics.

When would be the best time to enjoy this coffee?
Mid-afternoon, during a lull or lapse in concentration. It’s a stimulant and starts your brain again.

How did it roast? What caught your attention about this coffee?
Ruvumbu has been consistent since we’ve had it. Low maintenance, simple and straightforward to roast. Consistent. It has a very distinct sweet spot in terms of development, if it’s over or underdeveloped you’ll definitely know about it.

JAMES HAYDON:

Which was your favourite Square Mile Coffee for January?
My favourite coffee is Huye Mountain from Rwanda.

What do you enjoy about this coffee?
Because it has such a complex range of flavours with a sparkling acidity and excellent balance.

Your brewing recommendation for Huye Mountain?
A Kalita brew would be my preference.

When would be the best time to enjoy this coffee?
It’s a sit-down coffee rather than a rushed takeaway on the go.

What caught your attention about this coffee?
A natural process coffee from Rwanda is still unusual and interesting within itself. But, the fact it is so clean and low process makes it even more noteworthy.

TOM FLAWITH:

Which was your favourite Square Mile Coffee for January?
La Piramide from Colombia.

What do you enjoy about La Piramide?
Its a consistent, high-quality Colombian coffee year on year. An accessible flavour profile with lots of approachable flavours.

Your brewing recommendation for La Piramide?
V60 or Cafetiere.

When would be the best time to enjoy this coffee?
A coffee for any mood

How does it roast? What caught your attention about this coffee?
La Piramide roasts super consistently thanks to consistency within earlier stages of the supply chain upholding the reliable quality of the greens.