Disclosure: This is a sponsored review. As always though, all opinions are 100% my own.
While many know of Bellwether Coffee for its electric, ventless coffee roaster, it also has a thriving, small-batch selection of coffee offerings. The offerings feature a diverse array of origins and processing methods—all roasted on the Bellwether electric roaster. You can also select your preferred roast level for any coffee, which is a nice option for those who may prefer a darker roast. I recently had the opportunity to try a variety of their coffees and was quite impressed with the results. This washed AB Kenyan stood out as my favorite though for its bright acidity and rich fruit notes.
This coffee is truly Kenyan through and through from its aromatics to this flavor profile. Sometimes I like to be surprised by a coffee when it takes on attributes from another origin or processing method, but nothing beats a coffee that knows what it is and plays to that beautifully. The coffee begins with a rich aroma full of citrus and dark fruit. While brewing, I found a higher water-to-coffee ratio of 1:17 worked best to round out the high acidity a bit and allow the fruit notes to really shine. The flavor profile is full of flavors you expect to find in a high altitude, washed Kenyan coffee—black currant, pomegranate, and blackberry. The sweetness reminded me of honey and apricot jam. Each sip sits heavy on your tongue with a great mouthfeel that lingers into the finish and preserves the sparkling acidity until the end.
The Bottom Line
As a lover of classic Kenyan coffees, I have greatly enjoyed this coffee. Its rich fruit notes and high acidity paired with the honey sweetness made it a coffee I came back to day after day.
