Velvet Blaze - Summer Moon Review
I’ll admit, I’ve avoided Summer Moon’s black coffee for a while now after trying some at their shop and not enjoying it much… But their latte and moon milk is fantastic (I always order a Halfmoon Latte) and currently the only latte that I drink without extra flavorings and syrups added. Years have passed since I tried their black coffee so we deemed it time to bring some beans home and brew them for a proper review.
Velvet Blaze is Summer Moon’s signature coffee with beans from 7 different origin countries, all organically grown. We brewed it in our French press to our usual specs: 37g of medium-fine coffee grounds, 24 oz of 202℉ water, steep 3-5 minutes. (I prefer the extraction of a medium-fine grind, but most brewers recommend a coarser grind for French press brewing. Experiment and find the grind you enjoy the most.) We were promised a flavor profile of milk chocolate, walnuts, and blackberries, so let’s see how it brews up!
Right away, Velvet Blaze has a very active bloom, confirming the freshness of beans and the roast. There is an earthy aroma with a slight sweetness from the chocolate and berries. The first sip confirms the walnut flavor with a forward nuttiness and creamy mouthfeel, ending in a slightly dry finish from the walnut and chocolate. The blackberry presents itself in more of the earthy side of berries compared to the sweet tart berries, though still a complement to the nutty and roasty walnuts and chocolate. The chocolate itself doesn’t scream milk chocolate to my palate, but instead takes on more of the roasted qualities leading towards a dark chocolate or at least bittersweet.
Not an overly sweet coffee, Velvet Blaze is a great cup of coffee for those who love the gentle but prominent walnut flavors with a creamy, smooth brew to back it up. Because it is a medium roast, it can withstand a slightly longer steep time (4-5 minutes) which brings out the darker flavors while still maintaining a low acidity. All in all, I’m quite happy we tried Velvet Blaze from Summer Moon and am eager to drink more of their roasts.
What makes Summer Moon truly stand out from other coffee roasters? Not only are they dedicated to fresh green beans and organically grown coffee, but they roast their beans over an oak fire in a hand-crafted brick oven. That requires dedication and determination to make sure every roast is done right; every bean, every time. They embody the spirit of Texas (founded in the Hill Country) and deliver quality to every cup. We are excited to try more of their coffee line-up and can’t wait to get back to a shop for a latte.
Cheers,
Mrs. Brew