Today’s coffee adventure takes us to Colombia, courtesy of the fine folks at Belfast’s Root & Branch Coffee. We’re brewing up El Meson, a single-origin coffee that packs a lot of flavour into each cup. With Root & Branch’s passion for ethical sourcing and quality roasting, and my trusty Chemex at the ready, I knew this one was going to be something special.
The Beans: Colombia’s Finest
These beans come straight from El Meson in Colombia’s Cauca region, a place celebrated for its exceptional coffee. Sitting at an altitude of 1,750 meters above sea level, these beans have the perfect growing conditions for a rich and complex flavour profile. The varieties—Castillo, Caturra, and Colombia—are carefully washed and processed, ensuring each cup captures the region’s essence.
The Tasting Notes: A Sweet Symphony
Root & Branch describes this coffee as having notes of caramel, blackcurrant, and orange, and they’ve nailed it. Brewing this through the Chemex, the aroma is like a sweet, fruity wake-up call—think warm caramel with a hint of citrus in the air. The first sip hits with that blackcurrant pop, followed by a smooth caramel sweetness and a refreshing touch of zesty orange. It’s bright, balanced, and just the right amount of fruity.
The Brew: Chemex Magic at Work
For beans like these, the Chemex is a match made in coffee heaven. Its design brings out all the crisp, clean flavours while keeping the body light, allowing the fruity and caramel notes to shine. As the golden brew poured, I felt like a pro (even if my pouring still has room for improvement). The clarity and aroma were spot on—this coffee looked as good as it smelled.
Root & Branch Coffee: Brewing with Purpose
A big part of what makes this coffee special is Root & Branch Coffee itself. Based in Belfast, they’re all about transparency, sustainability, and celebrating coffee’s journey from farm to cup. They source their beans ethically, working closely with farmers to ensure quality and fair practices. It’s not just about roasting great coffee for them; it’s about making a positive impact through every cup. The team has built relationships directly with farms like El Meson, ensuring that the coffee they bring to us is as good for the planet and the people behind it as it is for your taste buds.
The Verdict: A Brew Worth Repeating
If you’re into bright, fruity coffees with a bit of a sweet kick, Colombia El Meson is one for the books. The Chemex brings out those crisp, vibrant flavours perfectly, letting the blackcurrant and orange notes play off each other with that smooth caramel backdrop. It’s a coffee that makes you slow down, savour, and appreciate what’s in your cup.
Massive shoutout to Root & Branch Coffee for their commitment to quality and sustainability. Their passion comes through in every sip, and with flavours like these, I might just make this my go-to Chemex brew for the foreseeable future. If you’re looking for a coffee that tastes good and does good, give this one a go. But fair warning—you might finish the bag quicker than expected. Cheers to great coffee and even better mornings!
