Chocolaty & Sweet

Coffee has a world of flavor within it. Some people are a little too familiar with the taste of bitter coffee, but rest assured, great coffee is so much more. (And less: it shouldn’t be bitter!) Coffee flavor is as diverse and varied as the many things you can find in wine—and often the interplay of scent, taste, and organic elements seems an apt comparison. But rich, dark, coffee at its best brings to mind the taste of dark chocolate. Why do you think people like mochas or coffee/chocolate ice cream so much?

Coffee beans that grow at a lower altitude may often have a chocolate flavor. Brazilian coffee beans are often grown at altitudes around 1000 meters, which is lower than many coffee beans originating from East Africa or Central America. That’s why a lot of Brazilian coffees come with chocolatyy or nutty flavor notes. Alongside altitude, the soil, cultivation, and processing methods may also contribute to a coffee’s flavor profile.

In addition, the roast level influences the flavor of coffee. Medium-dark and dark roast coffees usually have a flavor profile resembling that of chocolate. That’s because, coffee beans, just like cocoa beans, have to be roasted. And the caramelization of sugars in both of those roasting processes leads to similar flavors.

Metal-filtered brewing methods like a French press are a great way to bring out the chocolate flavor in your coffee. They preserve the oils found in the coffee, which can make it feel more chocolaty When looking for a chocolaty coffee, make sure to choose a medium-dark roast and, especially with roasts on the lighter end of the spectrum, choose a coffee from a lower elevation.

Looking to try coffees of all flavors? Check out our coffee subscription to find a flavor profile that suits your taste.