Whole Foods Market, Ethiopia Single Origin Whole Bean Coffee, Light Roast, Cocoa Powder, Dried Berries & Orange, 12 Ounce

A Bit Dark and Acidic
This Ethopian coffee was a bit darker than I expected with how light the coffee is rated. You can see the blend in color profiles from my shot of the beans. Some absolutely qualify as light, but I have a significant number of medium to dark roasted beans making me ponder the roasting process for this batch.That being said, the acidity of this coffee is right on par with a light roast, perhaps even surpassing some I’ve had in the past. The flavor profile notes orange, which I can agree with. It’s a strong citrus and ever so slightly bitter taste. The smell is distinctly cocoa which is very strong, it’s a unique smell that’s distinct from the other coffees on my shelf.I think this coffee is great and well deserving of its cup score of 86. My only gripe is the large variation in beans and the degree of acidity. If you normally have a bit of cream with your coffee, I’d advise to leave it out of this as it likely will not mix well.

Bright & Flavorful Ethiopian Perfection!
Whole Foods Market’s Ethiopia Single Origin Coffee delivers a smooth and vibrant cup with notes of cocoa, dried berries, and a hint of orange. This light roast brings out the natural brightness of the beans, making it perfect for a refreshing morning brew. The whole beans ensure maximum freshness and flavor in every cup. A must-try for coffee lovers who enjoy a balanced and aromatic experience!

A pleasant surprise
I’m not exactly a gourmand, but these beans make a fine-tasting cup of coffee to me. I usually go for the darkest roast possible, but this light roast coffee packs a surprising caffeine punch despite the light color of the brew. The beans also stick less to my grinder than dark roast beans, meaning fewer cleaning sessions. I really appreciate that this coffee is single-source and fair-trade certified.

Good Quality Specialty Coffee
My bag of whole bean 100% Arabica coffee arrived with a “best by” date less than 2 months in the future, certainly not as fresh as expected. Nonetheless, the beans smelled excellent, and I was eager to have a cup of this coffee. Brewing using a French press produced a relatively light-colored and exotic-smelling coffee, albeit notably less enticing than the aroma of the whole roasted beans. It’s exceptionally smooth with a mild flavor that carries a suggestion of cocoa and some subtle floral and ephemeral citrus notes. You’ll find the words “Dried Berries” and “Orange & Cocoa Powder” on the bag, but these apparently refer to tasting notes rather than additives. These beans are certified for quality but are neither certified organic nor certified for growing conditions (sustainable, fair trade, etc.)