Dominican Coffee

The offered freshly roasted coffee comes from the exotic Dominican Republic, located on the western part of the island of Haiti in the Caribbean region. The country owes its name to Christopher Columbus, who discovered the island and named it Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic is famous for its charming beaches, colorful cities and landmarks, such as the city of Santo Domingo founded by Columbus' brother, Bartolomeo. Among the most recognizable people from this country is fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, who gained fame for his unique creations. Thanks to its climate and beautiful landscapes, the Dominican Republic provides excellent conditions for growing coffee, while also being an extremely popular tourist destination.

The history of coffee in the Dominican Republic dates back to the 18th century when coffee plants were brought to the island from France. The first coffee plantations were established in Santo Domingo, which quickly became a center for coffee trade. Dominicans cherish their coffee culture, valuing coffee with a sweet taste, floral notes, and delicate citrus acidity. The coffee growing regions mainly include areas at elevations ranging from 600 to 1450 meters above sea level, where the climate favors the cultivation of different coffee varieties, such as Arabica Typica and Caturra.

Valdesia Region

The presented coffee comes from the best agricultural region in the Dominican Republic, Valdesia. The coffee plantation is located in the picturesque village of La Colonia, near the town of San José de Ocoa, in the mountainous region of Cordillera Central. The plantation is surrounded by national parks such as Luis Quinn, Máximo Gómez, Cerro de Bocanigua, and the La Barbacoa Scientific Reserve, which is only a few kilometers away from the plantation. The reserve is famous for its diversity of flora and fauna and beautiful landscapes that attract tourists from all over the world.

The coffee plantation is located at elevations ranging from 600 to 1300 meters above sea level and mainly grows Arabica Typica and Caturra varieties. The plantation is owned by the next generation of a family that has been growing coffee for many years. The plantation has quality certifications. La Colonia is located a little over two hours' drive from Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. In La Colonia, Arabica Typica and Caturra coffee bushes dominate, grown in the shade, in small individual farms with an average size of less than 3 hectares. Dominican coffee in a cup perfectly reflects the culture of the country from which it originates, characterized by sweetness, floral notes, and minimal citrus acidity, with a well-balanced taste.

How does Dominican coffee taste?

Coffee from the Valdesia region in the Dominican Republic, roasted at the suggested medium roast, is characterized by a unique aroma and intensity of flavor resulting from the freshness of the coffee (the latest, freshest harvests, roasting the coffee on the day of shipment, lightning-fast shipment - often on the day of order placement). In a cup, Dominican coffee delights with a well-balanced taste, sweetness, floral notes, and minimal citrus acidity. In addition, the aroma has notes of dark chocolate and nuts.

Preparing coffee using different techniques, such as an espresso machine, alternative methods (e.g., Aeropress, Chemex, V60), or classic drip, will extract different aspects of the flavor of this exceptional coffee. The choice of brewing method affects the balance of flavors, allowing for experimenting with floral notes, sweetness, or acidity.

How to order coffee at a coffee shop?

Choosing the right amount of coffee is also important. It is recommended to order the amount of coffee that will last for a maximum of 2 weeks, which will allow you to enjoy its freshness. It is also a good idea to choose packaging that can be poured into the container in the coffee machine or the container where you store the coffee.

If you are just starting your journey with freshly roasted coffee, choose medium roast, which provides the most favorable balance between taste notes. As for the level of grinding, it is best to choose the grind that is suitable for the chosen brewing method. For example, for pour-over and alternative methods such as Aeropress, Chemex, or V60, medium grind is recommended. For both manual and automatic pressure espresso machines, a fine grind is recommended. For classic drip coffee, the grind should be slightly coarser than medium. Of course, if you have a grinder, you can grind the beans freshly directly before brewing, which translates into better coffee quality and more intense flavor experiences.

Whether you are a coffee lover or someone who is just starting their coffee adventure, remember that experimenting with different types of coffee, origins, roasts, and brewing methods will allow you to discover your favorite tastes and experiences. Dominican coffee is a unique choice that can satisfy even the most demanding coffee enthusiasts, offering a full taste and richness of flavors. Also, do not forget about other key aspects that affect the quality of brewed coffee. The water you use for brewing is of great importance. It is recommended to use filtered water to avoid the influence of pollutants and minerals on the taste of coffee. Water temperature is also important – the recommended temperature is around 90-96 degrees Celsius. Too hot water can cause bitterness, while too cold water does not extract aromas and flavors well enough.

Next, it is worth paying attention to the proportions of coffee and water. The optimal ratio depends on individual preferences, but as a starting point, you can assume 60 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water. Depending on your taste preferences, you can increase or decrease the amount of coffee to achieve the desired intensity of flavor.

As for coffee brewing methods, it is worth trying different techniques to find the one that best suits your taste. Methods such as pressure espresso machines, Aeropress, Chemex, V60, or classic drip have their unique features and affect the taste of coffee in different ways. Therefore, experimenting with them can help you discover which method suits your expectations.

It is also worth experimenting with different coffee additives, such as flavored syrups, milk, or cream (although we enjoy it without these additions), and different beverage preparation techniques, such as latte, cappuccino, or macchiato. Ultimately, the coffee adventure is about constantly discovering new tastes, aromas, and experiences. Getting to know coffees from different regions of the world, such as the Dominican Republic, can be a great way to expand your taste horizons and understand how diverse the world of coffee can be.

Regardless of whether you are a coffee lover or just starting your journey with this beverage, remember that experimenting with different types of coffee, origins, roasting levels, or brewing methods will allow you to discover your favorite tastes and experiences. Coffee from the Dominican Republic is a unique choice that can satisfy even the most demanding coffee connoisseurs, offering a full flavor and a wealth of aromas. Don't forget about other key aspects that affect the quality of brewed coffee. The water you use for brewing is of great importance. It is recommended to use filtered water to avoid the influence of impurities and minerals on the taste of coffee. Water temperature is also important – the recommended temperature is around 90-96 degrees Celsius. Water that is too hot can cause bitterness, while water that is too cold does not extract flavors and aromas sufficiently.

Next, it's worth paying attention to the proportions between coffee and water. The optimal ratio depends on individual preferences, but as a starting point, you can assume 60 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water. Depending on your preferences, you can increase or decrease the amount of coffee to achieve the desired intensity of flavor.

When it comes to brewing methods, it's worth trying different techniques to find the one that best suits your taste. Methods such as espresso, Aeropress, Chemex, V60, or classic drip have their unique characteristics and affect the taste of coffee in different ways. So experimenting with them can help you discover which method suits your expectations.

It is also worth experimenting with different coffee additives such as flavored syrups, milk or cream (although we prefer it without these additions), and different beverage preparation techniques such as latte, cappuccino or macchiato. Ultimately, the coffee journey is about constantly discovering new tastes, aromas and experiences. Getting to know coffees from different regions of the world, such as the Dominican Republic, can be a great way to broaden your taste horizons and understand how diverse the world of coffee can be.