There's something exciting about cracking open a new bag of beans, and this morning's cup of Kahawa 1893 Ethiopian Medium did not disappoint.
Aroma
Before I even took the first sip, the nose on this coffee was already impressive. It's inviting in a way that makes you want to slow down and just breathe it in for a minute before diving in.
Flavor Profile
On the palate, I picked up clear notes of citrus and chocolate — a really nice interplay between brightness and richness that keeps every sip interesting. It's the kind of flavor combination that makes you want to keep sipping just to catch it again.
Body & Texture
The standout trait here is the mouth feel: creamy and buttery in a way that coats the palate without feeling heavy. It's smooth from the first sip to the last.
Clean Finish
One thing worth calling out specifically: this is a clean coffee. There's very little aftertaste lingering after your first sips, and that's actually a great sign — it means the flavor you're tasting in the cup is the real, well-processed character of the bean, not muddiness or bitterness overstaying its welcome.
Dialing In (For the Espresso Geeks)
A quick note on the technical side for anyone running this through a grinder at home: it ground really well on the Niche, with hardly any retention — barely anything left stuck in the chute or on the burrs after each dose.
For the dial-in, I started at grind setting 10. The first pull ran long, clocking in around 45 seconds, so I moved up two notches to 13. That landed me right around 30 seconds, which is the sweet spot I was after. Both pulls came out nice and even, with good crema on top — a solid sign this bean plays well under pressure.
Who It's For
If you're someone who prefers a smooth, easy-drinking coffee over something sharp or acidic, this one's worth a try. Ethiopian coffees can sometimes have a reputation for bright, wine-like acidity — this medium roast leans the other direction, prioritizing smoothness and balance instead.
Early Verdict
It's only day one, and I'm already looking forward to brewing this again tomorrow. I'll be updating this post as I keep testing it over the next few days — stay tuned for how it holds up.
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