How do you like infused coffee? On one hand, it has unusual flavors, on the other hand, those flavors are added. What is more important, experiencing an unusual taste or drinking good coffee instead of the flavored one?
Not a huge fan of infused coffee personally but can see the appeal. I’ve tried a few “natural” beans recently that basically have the cherries on in the drying process leading to some really cool flavours without adding anything.
One of the ones I tried was this Colombian from Casa Espresso which was insanely lemon-y. Almost to the point of being too sickly sweet!
I’ve had some mango-infused beans that were quite interesting, from a small roaster in Hungary. I don’t like acidity at all, so getting any fruity notes in a coffee that’s not tainted by acid is a rare find for me, so I liked it quite a bit. On the other hand I don’t really see the difference of adding (microdosing, really) flavorings to the coffee after brewing if I just want a hint of something else.
Been experimenting around a bit, and what really does it for me is to use a cinnamon stick to stir a freshly brewed espresso for a a few seconds. Can be reused for weeks. Adds a very subtle, mellow flavor that I quite enjoy.
Sounds interesting with the cinnamon stick for stirring.
Not a fan. I tried a lemongrass infused anaerobic washed coffee from Black & White that just seemed to leave a dry finish on the mouth. Ultimately, I think infusions are a bit gimmicky, and I have migrated away from roasters who are leaning into them (like B&W). I’m loving pretty much everything from Flower Child right now, and keep coming back to them.
I am not a fan of flavored coffees but on the odd chance I get to Chapel Hill, N. Carolina, I always stop by a gourmet food shop named: A Southern Season. They have a Southern Pecan Coffee that is just lovely.
Not exactly the answer to your question but I have saved some bad beans by throwing a cinnamon stick into the brewed coffee to steep for a minute. This can make otherwise nearly undrinkable beans palatable. Don’t let the stick steep too long though or you’ll get a super spicy cinnamon concoction.