Ethiopia Bento Nenka Worasa – Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters

Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters is one of a few special Canadian roasters I’ve had the privilege to try. I had heard they were one of the best roasters in Canada, so I was especially excited when I got to try a few of their single-origin offerings. This Ethiopian coffee is a result of their direct relationships with producers in the region and specifically from the private coffee washing station named Guduba.

The coffee begins with a fairly strong fragrance of apricot and blueberry. As I began to brew, I immediately smelled a strong citrus acidity that carries through to the flavor and becomes the dominate attribute of the coffee. The acidity hits you in the beginning with a strong, juicy citrus acidity that carries through the full sip and ends in a lingering, tart finish. The coffee has a sweet-tart structure, though the sweetness does seem to get dwarfed a bit by the tartness of the acidity. The taste of the coffee was layered and delicious. I tasted berry, stone fruit and some subtle floral notes—all of which mixed together in an incredibly interesting and complex combination.

Coffees like Ethiopia Bento Nenka Worasa are so fun to explore because each step of the coffee is unique and yet builds on each other at the same time. There was so much to explore in this coffee that I enjoyed the adventure each time I tried it and with every different brew method.

The Bottom Line

My first encounter with Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters didn’t disappoint and their single-origin Ethiopia Bento Nenka Worasa was delightful to drink and explore. It’s the perfect option for someone who enjoys a bright coffee with a lot of complexity.