Field notes

Stories from the trade

Reading, watching, and rabbit-holing on coffee culture.

Reading a roast curve
Story

Reading a roast curve

A roast curve looks like a heart monitor. Read it right and you can predict the cup before grinding. We break down the four phases that matter.…

  • Chocolate
  • Cocoa
Antigua
Guatemala

Antigua

Three volcanoes ring Antigua valley, dusting the soil with mineral ash. The classic profile is full-bodied with dark chocolate, hazelnut, and a soft orange-zest…

  • Caramel
  • Chocolate
  • Nutty
Sacatepéquez1550 masl
Cerrado
Brazil

Cerrado

The Cerrado plateau yields sun-dried naturals with heavy body, low acidity, and dessert-like sweetness — peanut, milk chocolate, and dried fig. The backbone of …

  • Caramel
  • Chocolate
  • Nutty
Minas Gerais1100 masl
Antigua Reserve
medium

Antigua Reserve

Volcanic minerality lifts a base of dark cocoa and roasted hazelnut.…

  • Chocolate
  • Nutty
Antigua
Cerrado Crema
dark

Cerrado Crema

An espresso bean built for crema — peanut brittle, milk chocolate, marshmallow finish.…

  • Caramel
  • Chocolate
Cerrado