Driftaway Coffee African Great Lakes Regional Blend Review

By

Bryan Huynh

on December 14, 2024

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Introduction 

Enter a world of coffee discovery as I give an in-depth review of Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend. If you are a coffee enthusiast looking for an amazing and exciting brewing journey, here is the place to be. Join me on a fascinating sensory journey across the green terrains of East Africa as we uncover the beautiful flavors and tempting aromas expertly incorporated into this amazing blend.

Driftaway Coffee is a recognized specialty coffee roaster driven by a strict commitment to discovering and roasting the most beautiful beans. Enter the world of their African Great Lakes Regional Blend, a beautiful blend of beans gathered from the mesmerizing countries located around East Africa's Great Lakes. Meticulously produced, this one-of-a-kind blend captures the heart of the area, emphasizing its distinct characteristics and cultural nuances, resulting in a genuinely great coffee experience.

The aim of our review is to provide you with an unbiased and comprehensive analysis of Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend, so you can make an informed decision regarding your next coffee trip. This review will walk you through an exploration of the African Great Lakes region's rich coffee legacy, whether you're an expert looking for a new addition to your coffee inventory or a casual consumer eager to explore new tastes.

We'll look at the blend's history, processing techniques, tasting notes, and brewing suggestions throughout this article. We'll also discuss Driftaway Coffee's dedication to sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that your coffee enjoyment is consistent with environmental and social responsibility. So grab your favorite cup, sit back, and follow me on an unforgettable trip through Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend. Prepare to be fascinated by the intriguing flavors, immersing history, and one-of-a-kind story that each sip of this unique coffee blend tells. Check out our Coffee Clubs page to compare and read reviews of our favorite coffee clubs!

Background

Bean Box is a specialty coffee company dedicated to providing its consumers with the best coffee beans from across the world. They prioritize working hand in hand with small-scale farmers to ensure ethical production and outstanding bean quality. Bean Box has a team of skilled roasters that use a precise roasting method to enhance the distinct flavors and fragrances of each coffee bean. As a result, there is a great choice of high-quality beans that provide a rich and fulfilling experience for coffee enthusiasts all around the world.

Bean Box has become one of the most widely recognized brands in the specialty coffee industry since it was founded in 2014. The company has received multiple honors for its great coffees, and its dedication to quality and sustainability has gained it a devoted consumer base. Bean Box provides a coffee for everyone, whether you like a powerful and rich espresso or a smooth and creamy latte. Bean Box is an established company that is prepared to continue leading the way in the specialty coffee industry for years to come, thanks to its emphasis on quality, sustainability, and customer service.

Summary 

Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend is a carefully curated coffee blend that showcases the exceptional characteristics of the East African region. This blend is sourced from countries surrounding the Great Lakes, including Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia.The beans in the African Great Lakes Regional Blend undergo meticulous processing to bring out their unique flavors. They are typically wet-processed or washed, resulting in a clean and vibrant cup profile.

In terms of varietals, this blend incorporates a variety of Bourbon coffee varietals that are native to the region. These varietals contribute to the complex and diverse flavor profile of the blend. Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend is roasted to perfection by their team of expert roasters. The roast level is typically medium-dark to highlight the intricate flavors without overwhelming the delicate nuances.

The coffee beans used in this blend are grown at high elevations, ranging from 1,480 to 2,000 meters above sea level. This elevation contributes to the beans' exceptional quality, as the cooler temperatures and rich soil of the highlands enhance the flavor development. When it comes to tasting notes, the African Great Lakes Regional Blend offers a captivating experience. It often features rich cola flavors, with notes of dark chocolate sweetness. The cup profile may also showcase sweet undertones, subtle acidity, and a medium body, creating a well-balanced and delightful coffee experience.

These high-grown, robust coffees are ideal for a dark roast due to their outstanding flavor. Because of their strong nature, they can survive higher temperatures and longer roast periods in the roaster while preserving their amazing complexity and sweetness.

Fun Fact: In the East African region, where the majority of African Great Lakes coffees originate, traditional washed processing methods are commonly employed. This meticulous process entails the careful removal of the fruit skin and pulp from the coffee beans immediately after harvesting, prior to the drying stage.

Origin: Rwanda, Congo, & Burundi Region: Southern Nyamagabe, South Kivu, Ngoz Processing: Washed Varietal: SL-34, Red Bourbon Roast: Medium-dark roast Elevation: 1480 - 2000 meters Tasting Notes: Cola, Dark Chocolate, Rich

Pros

  • Exceptional Flavor Profile: The African Great Lakes Regional Blend offers a captivating and complex flavor profile, with bright citrusy notes, floral sweetness, hints of black tea, and subtle acidity. It provides a well-balanced and enjoyable coffee experience.
  • Ethically Sourced Beans: Driftaway Coffee works directly with small-scale farmers in East Africa to source their beans, ensuring ethical production practices and supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
  • Meticulous Processing: The beans in this blend undergo meticulous processing, often utilizing the wet processing method, resulting in a clean and vibrant cup profile that highlights the unique flavors of the region.
  • High-Quality Varietals: The blend incorporates a variety of heirloom coffee varietals native to East Africa, contributing to its complex and diverse flavor profile.
  • Expertly Roasted: Driftaway Coffee's team of expert roasters ensures that the African Great Lakes Regional Blend is roasted to perfection, bringing out the flavors and aromas of the beans without overpowering them.

Cons

  • Limited Availability: As a specialty blend, the African Great Lakes Regional Blend may have limited availability and may not always be in stock, which could be a downside for those who want consistent access to this particular blend.
  • Personal Preference: Coffee taste is subjective, and while many coffee enthusiasts appreciate the flavor profile of the African Great Lakes Regional Blend, it may not suit everyone's individual preferences. Some individuals may prefer different flavor profiles or find the flavor notes of this blend less appealing.
  • Price: Specialty coffee blends like the African Great Lakes Regional Blend tend to be priced higher than mass-market coffee options. This could be a drawback for budget-conscious consumers or those seeking more affordable coffee choices.

Buying the Product

The process of buying Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend is straightforward and convenient. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Visit the Driftaway Coffee website: Go to the official website of Driftaway Coffee (www.driftaway.coffee) using a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
  2. Explore the African Great Lakes Regional Blend: Navigate to the coffee selection or search for the African Great Lakes Regional Blend specifically. Read the description and learn more about its origin, flavor profile, and other details to ensure it aligns with your preferences.
  3. Select the desired quantity: Choose the quantity of the African Great Lakes Regional Blend you wish to purchase. Driftaway Coffee typically offers options for different package sizes or subscription plans, allowing you to customize your order according to your needs.
  4. Add to cart: Click the "Add to Cart" or similar button to add the African Great Lakes Regional Blend to your shopping cart.
  5. Review your order: Proceed to your shopping cart or checkout page to review your order details. Ensure that the quantity and other preferences are accurate.
  6. Provide shipping information: Enter your shipping address and any other required information accurately. Double-check for any typos or errors to ensure smooth delivery.
  7. Choose shipping options: Driftaway Coffee offers various shipping options, such as standard or expedited shipping. Select the option that suits your needs and budget.
  8. Complete the purchase: Proceed to the payment page and choose your preferred payment method. Driftaway Coffee typically accepts major credit/debit cards and sometimes offers alternative payment options like PayPal or Apple Pay. Follow the prompts to complete the transaction securely.
  9. Confirmation and tracking: After successfully placing your order, you will receive an order confirmation via email. Driftaway Coffee may also provide a tracking number to monitor the progress of your shipment.
  10. Enjoy your coffee: Await the arrival of your package. Once it arrives, brew your freshly roasted African Great Lakes Regional Blend and savor the unique flavors and aromas that Driftaway Coffee has carefully curated.

Check out our full review on Driftaway Coffee!

Results

I was thrilled by the full process of brewing Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend, beginning with the package. The beans arrived in a sealed bag with a degassing valve, assuring freshness and taste preservation until I was ready to brew. Driftaway Coffee clearly takes considerable effort in creating a high-quality product.

When I took my first sip, I was struck by a flavor profile that completely captivated my taste buds. The African Great Lakes Regional Blend had the right combination of rich cola aromas and dark chocolate richness. It was a well-balanced mix that highlighted the distinct qualities of East African coffee. The scent in the room was amazing. The coffee smelled thick and welcoming, with wonderful sweet undertones flowing across the air. It built anticipation and heightened my enthusiasm for the first taste. I saw glimpses of chocolate dancing on my palate from time to time, providing a layer of richness and depth to the overall flavor experience. 

The African Great Lakes Regional Blend was a medium-bodied cup that was smooth and enjoyable in terms of body and texture. In my mouth, the coffee had a pleasant and velvety texture, leading to a luxury sipping experience. This blend's acidity was bright yet well-balanced. It gave the cup a lovely brightness without dominating the other flavors. It brought a vibrant and invigorating element to the coffee, improving its overall complexity. The end result was neat and pleasing. As I took my final drink, I noticed how the tastes lingered for just the proper length of time, creating an indelible imprint. There were no lingering or disagreeable aftertastes, which allowed me to completely enjoy the coffee's particular features.

Brewing Driftaway Coffee's African Great Lakes Regional Blend was an excellent experience in general. From the time I opened the package to the last taste, it was clear that this blend had been carefully created to deliver a delicious and nuanced coffee experience. The packaging, taste, tasting notes, scent, undertones, body, texture, acidity, and finish all contributed to the creation of a truly memorable cup of coffee.

I would say that the Driftaway Coffee African Great Lakes Regional Blend had a cupping score of 86.5/100. In accordance with the Total Score Quality Classification, it would be considered excellent, also known as a specialty coffee.

Cupping Scores

Published by the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The Cupping Form allows you to note the following coffee flavor qualities: Fragrance/Aroma, Flavor, Aftertaste, Acidity, Body, Balance, Uniformity, Clean Cup, Sweetness, Defects, and Overall. These are evaluated on a 16-point scale indicating quality levels in quarter-point increments ranging from 6 to 9. To score your coffee, go through each specific flavor attribute and mark the points based on your own personal appraisal. 

Quality Scale

  • Good: 6-6:75
  • Very good: 7 - 7.75
  • Excellent: 8 - 8.75
  • Outstanding: 9 - 9.75

The Final Score is calculated by adding the individual scores for each of the key criteria in the "Total Score" box. Defects are then subtracted from the “Total Score” to arrive at a “Final Score.” The Scoring Key below has shown to be an effective technique to represent the range of coffee quality for the Final Score.

Total Score Quality Classification

  • Outstanding: 90-100
  • Excellent: 85-89.99
  • Very Good: 80-84.99
  • Good: <80

(Outstanding, excellent, and very good are considered Specialty coffee, while anything below that is not.)

Bottom Line

In this review, I can confidently say that the Driftaway Coffee African Great Lakes Regional Blenddelivers an extraordinary experience. The carefully sourced beans from East Africa showcase unique flavors and aromas that will captivate any coffee lover. From the moment I opened the impeccably packaged bag to the last sip, this blend impressed me with its rich cola flavors, with notes of dark chocolate sweetness.

The medium-bodied cup had a smooth texture and a vibrant acidity that added a refreshing touch. The clean finish left me wanting more. If you're searching for a remarkable coffee experience, I highly recommend trying the African Great Lakes Regional Blend from Driftaway Coffee. Elevate your coffee brewing with this exceptional blend and immerse yourself in the world of specialty coffee.

Try the freshly roasted Driftaway Coffee African Great Lakes Regional Blend and see if it lives up to the hype. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised as it quickly becomes the highlight of your coffee adventure and the ideal complement to your daily routine.

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About the Author

Product Tester & Writer

Bryan Huynh

Product Tester & Writer

Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.

Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.