Ethiopia Dry Process Sidama Bombe

Bombe is loaded with fruit-forward flavors, juicy and bright, and offers an aromatic floral side when kept to a light roast. The cup complexity came through loud and clear in dark roasts too, bittersweetness being on the lower end of the intensity scale, whereas juicy fruit flavors made a big impression. The fragrance of the ground coffee had berry theme to my nose, like freeze-dried berries, and strawberry milk powder, sweet and quite interesting. Pouring the hot water was when I first picked up on the floral aroma, like fresh jasmine blossom, a quintessential Sidama characteristic. There was a very nice berry intensity in the steam, with a note of dried apricot. In the cup, the light roast had dominant notes of red raspberry and strawberry, both tasted juicy and sweet. The acidity level was impressive, especially considering this is a dry process coffee. A tart cranberry-like note cut through the rest, adding a lively snap in the cup profile. Brewing this coffee later, I noted a juicy orange note, and dried fruit accents. Florals are a big draw for me, and Bombe's pulled me in. They're integrated into the fruits, and while they do have a jasmine slant too, they also have the floral aspect of really ripe fruit. Bombe has quite a few small beans in the mix and should be handled with some care when roasting, especially if you're shooting for Full City. The smaller beans are susceptible to charring if roasted too fast and hot. The heavy-handed flavors also make it forgiving in a way.