“Zip Zinger Espresso Blend” from Dune Coffee

roaster: Dune Coffee Roasters; Santa Barbara, CA
origin: Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia
price: $16.00
tasting: 4/22/18

Dune from Santa Barbara California is considered one of the top specialty coffee roasters in the country. We certainly were excited to get an actual espresso blend to try. This blend is served everyday at their California cafes. This is one of two Dune coffees we’ve reviewed this year.

It had a great crema every time, but it was an espresso that differed with each shot. Across the board it was sweet, and gave firm notes of lemon. Stonefruit is the dominate flavor when made as an espresso, with the overall taste being more sweet than bitter. It makes a great base for espresso based drinks.

Espresso Rating – 88pts.

This is another one of those espresso blends that really works well as a coffee. The likely reason is because this is a blend of three different coffees, and that blends gives it a complex taste with many nice and subtle tasting notes. There were hints of caramel, and fruits, with a lighter more juicier finish. However we wouldn’t consider this an exotic coffee, and the flavors were not overpowering. It made for one of the best pour coffees we’ve reviewed.

Coffee Rating – 91pts.

Special thanks to Chach from Dune for the coffee, visit them at dunecoffeeroasters.com.

About our ratings – For both ratings (espresso & coffee) we’re looking at the flavor profile, along with drink-ability and balance. Reviewing the coffee as the espresso gives us extra insights into the nuanced flavors of the beans.