Black Bear Coffee Blend

Black Bear Coffee Blend – Medium Dark Roast Espresso & All-Brew Blend

Black Bear is a medium/dark roast espresso blend built around deep malt-chocolate and roasted-hazelnut flavours. Made from two single-origin coffees — both scoring above 80 on the SCA cupping scale — it produces a full-bodied cup with a natural sweetness that holds its own black or amplifies when milk is added.

Key Cup Profile

• Flavour notes: Malt chocolate, cherry, roasted hazelnut
• Body: Full / heavy
• Roast level: Medium/dark — full caramelisation reached
• SCA cupping score: Component origins both score 80+
• Origin regions: Central and South America
• Process: Pulped natural and washed
• Varietal: Bourbon

Brew Method Suitability

• Espresso & milk-based drinks (latte, cappuccino, flat white): Ideal — milk amplifies the malt-chocolate character and rounds the body
• Espresso black: Full-bodied with natural sweetness; low acidity suits drinkers moving from dark roasts
• Filter / pour-over: Versatile — roast-level body carries through without bitterness at standard brew ratios
• French press: Immersion brewing highlights the hazelnut and cherry notes

Roast Level: Why Medium/Dark?

Roasting to medium/dark achieves full caramelisation of natural sugars, developing body and sweetness while preserving the origin-driven chocolate and cherry notes. This roast level consistently outperforms lighter roasts for milk-based espresso drinks where flavour needs to cut through steamed milk. Note: as with any medium/dark roast, bright citrus or floral acidity typical of light roasts is intentionally reduced — the trade-off is greater body and chocolate depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best coffee blend for a rich chocolatey espresso at home?

Black Bear delivers malt chocolate and hazelnut notes from two 80+ SCA-scored origins. Its full body and medium/dark roast make it well-suited to home espresso machines at standard extraction parameters (9 bar, 25–30 sec).

Does this coffee work well in lattes and cappuccinos?

Yes. The medium/dark roast level and full body are specifically suited to milk-based drinks — the malt-chocolate flavour remains distinct through steamed whole or oat milk.

Can I use this blend with a French press or filter brewer?

Yes. Black Bear is formulated to be versatile across brew methods. For filter, use a coarser grind and a 1:15–1:17 coffee-to-water ratio to balance body and sweetness.

Is medium/dark or light roast better for chocolatey coffee?

Medium/dark roasts produce malt-chocolate and caramel notes through Maillard and caramelisation reactions. Light roasts retain more acidity and fruit. If chocolate depth is the goal, medium/dark is the preferred roast level.

What grind setting should I use?

Available pre-ground for Beans, French Press, Filter, or Espresso. Select grind type at checkout. For bean orders, a burr grinder set to medium-fine (espresso) or medium-coarse (filter/French press) is recommended.