House Blend - Peet’s Coffee Review

There is something pleasing about a House Blend coffee; it paints an image of cozy mornings, freshly brewed dark coffee, and classic, consistent flavors. House Blends can help you relax at home, or transport you to your favorite coffee shop with the fragrant aroma of arabica in the air. I have found a few enjoyable House Blends over the years, so let’s see how Peet’s Coffee’s House Blend measures up.

Barista Note: We got Peet’s House Blend in whole bean form, so we first had to grind it to a medium-fine grind. After tinkering with our grinder, I find that I prefer a medium-fine grind for brewing in our French press (and other brewing methods, to be honest) because it extracts the flavors while holding on to the depth of earthiness inherent in coffee beans. Too fine a grind won’t work in a French press and will lead to overextracted coffee and a gritty cup (it’ll go right through your filter). Though many places say you need a coarse grind for a French press, I find that this doesn’t extract enough of the flavors hidden in the bean. In the end if you grind your own beans, spend time testing the coarseness and find what fits the flavors you like. Plus, grinding your own roasted beans typically results in a fresher cup of coffee and is well worth the extra couple minutes.

Anyways, we brewed Peet’s House Blend to our usual specs after grinding: 37g grounds, 24 oz of 202℉ water, steep for 4 minutes. Off the bat there is a rich aroma with hints of spice and citrus. Those same flavors blend with a toasty quality and create a smooth sipper. The spices are reminiscent of cinnamon and cardamom and don’t overpower the coffee, instead adding a warmth to the palate and complementing the citrus and toast flavors. The citrus is more orangy than lemon, which is good because it reduces the acidic flavors and blends nicely. House Blend is more subdued than other citrus coffees, likely because it is a dark roast.

This House Blend is right up there with my favorites. I love that it is a dark roast as it balances the citrus and spice flavors that can become too acidic with lighter roasts. There is a nice toastiness, and the whole cup is well balanced, smooth, and rich, right to the last sip.

Moving up the ranks in my list of favorite coffees, Peet’s House Blend is definitely worth trying.

Cheers,

Mrs. Brew

Want to grind your own beans at home? This is the grinder we have used for years and still enjoy!