The Core Espresso

Blind Assessment: Evaluated as espresso. High-toned, sweetly tart; Bing cherry, dark chocolate, tangerine zest, honeysuckle, a hint of fine pipe tobacco in aroma and small cup. Full, syrupy mouthfeel; earthy-sweet finish. In cappuccino-scaled milk, dark chocolate is amplified, as are deep florals, while tart fruit notes round.

Notes: This coffee tied for the highest rating in a tasting of “classic” espresso blends for Coffee Review’s June 2019 tasting report. A blend of coffees from Ethiopia, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, and Sumatra, all conventionally wet-processed except for the Sumatra, which is washed and wet-hulled. Highwire Coffee Roasters is a small-batch coffee roaster located in Emeryville, California. Established in 2011, Highwire pursues the straightforward goal of sharing the coffees it loves with the community. Visit www.highwirecoffee.com or call 510-420-0473 for more information.

The Bottom Line: A masterful blend of coffees from four different coffee-producing countries that nets a vibrant, engaging shot and a rich, decadent cappuccino.