DARK Blend | Bold Roast Coffee Beans UK
DARK Blend — Brazil and Colombia: A bold, full-bodied blend combining washed and natural coffees from South America's finest regions. Dark roast for espresso, French press and milk drinks, with notes of dark cocoa, malts and cinder toffee. Rich, intense and satisfying—this is coffee for those who love depth and character. Freshly roasted in the UK; choose whole bean or a grind tailored to your method.
Key facts
- Origins: Brazil (Sul de Minas, Cerrado) · Colombia (Huila, Cauca)
- Varieties: Yellow Bourbon, Mundo Novo (Brazil) · Caturra, Castillo (Colombia)
- Processes: Natural (Brazil) · Washed (Colombia)
- Altitude: 800-1,200 masl (Brazil) · 1,400-1,900 masl (Colombia)
- Roast profile: Dark — Espresso / French press / Milk drinks
- Tasting notes: Dark cocoa, malts, cinder toffee
- Best for: Espresso, French press, Moka pot, Flat white, Cappuccino
Tasting & experience
This DARK Blend delivers bold, intense flavours with a heavy body and low acidity. Dark cocoa notes dominate the palate, complemented by malty richness and hints of cinder toffee sweetness that emerge on the finish. The Brazilian natural component provides body and chocolate depth, whilst the Colombian washed coffee adds structure and prevents heaviness. The dark roast development brings out caramelised sugars and roasted characteristics whilst maintaining enough sweetness to avoid bitterness. Brewed as espresso around 92-93 °C, expect a thick, syrupy shot with robust body—ideal for milk drinks where the bold flavours cut through beautifully. In French press with a 4-5 minute steep, the coffee reveals its full-bodied character and lasting finish.
Origin & traceability
Our DARK Blend brings together coffees from Brazil and Colombia, carefully selected for their ability to shine under darker roast profiles. From Brazil's Sul de Minas and Cerrado regions, we source natural processed Yellow Bourbon and Mundo Novo coffees grown at 800-1,200 metres. These lower-altitude Brazils, sun-dried with the fruit intact, develop intense sweetness and body—perfect characteristics for dark roasting. The natural process creates coffees with chocolate, nutty and fruit-forward profiles that caramelise beautifully under extended development.
The Colombian component comes from smallholder farmers in Huila and Cauca, cultivating Caturra and Castillo varieties at higher elevations of 1,400-1,900 metres. Traditional washed processing ensures clean, structured coffees that provide backbone and prevent the blend from becoming one-dimensional under dark roasting. These higher-grown Colombian coffees maintain enough acidity and complexity to balance the Brazilian component's body and sweetness. Together, these origins create a harmonious dark roast that's bold without bitterness, intense without harshness.
Roast & brewing suitability
Roasted to a dark profile that emphasises body, caramelisation and roasted characteristics, this blend is designed for those who prefer bold, full-flavoured coffee. The dark roast brings out chocolate depth, malty sweetness and cinder toffee notes whilst maintaining enough sweetness to avoid the bitterness or ashiness sometimes found in darker roasts. For espresso, expect thick, syrupy extractions with robust body—ideal for cutting through milk in flat whites, cappuccinos or lattes. In French press or moka pot, the coffee reveals its full-bodied character with low acidity and lasting richness. This is not a coffee for delicate filter methods; it's built for brewing methods that emphasise body and intensity.
Brew guides
Espresso (guide)
18 g in → 36–42 g out · 25–28 s · 92–93 °C. For milk drinks, use shorter ratios (1:2) for maximum body.
French press · 500 ml
33 g coffee · 500 g water · 4:30–5:00 steep · coarse grind · 94 °C.
Moka pot · 200 ml
20 g coffee · Fill to valve · Medium-fine grind · Medium heat until bubbling stops.
Flat white / Cappuccino
Double espresso (36-42 g) with 150-180 ml steamed milk. The bold flavours shine through milk beautifully.
Grind selection guide
| Method | Recommended grind |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Fine |
| Moka pot | Medium-fine |
| French press | Coarse |
Freshness & storage
Roasted fresh to order. Dark roasts benefit from 5-7 days rest after roasting for optimal flavour development. Best enjoyed within 6–8 weeks. Store in a cool, dry place; reseal after opening.
Year-round availability
Our DARK Blend is available throughout the year, ensuring you can enjoy bold, full-bodied coffee whenever you need it. We carefully source and rotate harvest seasons from Brazil and Colombia to maintain year-round freshness and consistency.
Sustainability & quality
Both components of this blend come from established coffee-growing regions with strong cooperative structures. Brazilian producers benefit from cooperative support and sustainable farming practices, whilst Colombian smallholders receive fair pricing through direct trade relationships. By sourcing from these regions, we support sustainable coffee farming whilst ensuring consistent quality for our darkest roast profile.
Shipping & subscriptions
UK delivery available. Save with subscriptions for regular deliveries—perfect for your daily bold coffee routine.
FAQs
Is this coffee bitter?
No—whilst it's a dark roast, we've carefully developed the roast to emphasise sweetness and body rather than bitterness or ashiness.
Is this good for milk drinks?
Absolutely. The bold flavours cut through milk beautifully, making it ideal for flat whites, cappuccinos and lattes.
Can I use it for V60?
This coffee is roasted specifically for espresso and full-immersion methods. For filter brewing, we recommend our lighter roast offerings.
Which grind should I pick for French press?
Choose the "French Press" grind (coarse). Use 33 g coffee to 500 g water with a 4:30-5:00 steep time.
When was this coffee roasted?
We roast fresh to order to ensure maximum freshness. Roasting typically occurs within days of your order.
How should I store it?
Keep the bag resealed in a cool, dry place; avoid fridges or freezers once opened.
Is this blend available year-round?
Yes—our DARK Blend is always available, with carefully managed sourcing to ensure consistent quality throughout the year.
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