I didn't realise what a cornerstone of Has Bean Coffee this blend would become when I created its original incarnation. We have sold more of this and the 'Has Bean Premium Espresso Blend' than any other coffee ever. The blend changes as crops rotate in and out according to the season, giving it a life of its own as it changes and develops. However, our goal always remains the same; to provide a balanced and flavour filled blend.
For me a roaster's espresso blend for home users should be:
1. Good in other brew methods as well as in espresso. This saves customers from needing to have two different blends to hand which is particularly useful for those that do not get through them too quickly.
2. Good in a cheaper home machine as well as a top of the range commercial machine.
3. Good across a range of temperatures and extraction times; it should be forgiving.
4. Just totally tasty.
I like both the Has Bean Premium Espresso Blend and this, the Has Bean Espresso Blend. Each excels in its own way. It is really a matter of whatever suits you. Some like a little robusta for crema and base, choosing the regular Espresso Blend, whilst others prefer the Premium Blend containing only arabica.
As mentioned, this blend contains just a little robusta (10%) to give it a gentle caffeine boost and help the crema formation, Brazil Sao Judas for sweetness (35%), El Salvador Los Amates for body, acidity and sweetness (35%) and El Salvador La Ilusion (20%) for a fruity acidity.
In the cup this one has a rich base, followed by sweetness and fruit acidity, with a lovely sweet finish.
Posted by S Muller on 8th Mar 2010
I've been buying Hasbeen coffee for over 3 years now - still one of the very best internet companies of any sort out there for service, innovation and attention to detail - but it's been months and months that I hadn't bought their house blend - and I have no idea why I didn't now that I've tried another bag! It's astonishingly good, especially given the price - even on my wheezing and battered Gaggia this makes thick, rich and rounded espresso. Superb.
Posted by Big G on 24th Feb 2010
Probably the best value espresso on the planet
It has everything in spades and La lusion and 2 COE in a coffees for less than £4. Steve has lost the plot. Get it before he relises. I could use this coffee in The UKBC semi-finals its that good
Posted by Dan on 18th Feb 2010
you have to try hard to pull a bad shot of this as espresso. For me this wins out over the premium blend and I have sampled both. Will defiantly buy again. For espresso you cant go wrong with this.