Ethiopia Misty Valley Yirgacheffe Natural

by Anonymous on January 4, 2008

My wife and I have only been brewing for a year, but we bought this coffee based on the review. We were also stunned by the complexity of the coffee. It was really true that you can taste all of those undertones. We were very very impressed. My wife is a Columbian lover, myself lately into Costa Rican, but we both rank this one in our top three! Get it but don't roast to the second crack as it is better to light roast and let it sit about 4 days.

by Maxwell Perry on July 14, 2019

Very fruity and bright, as I expected from a Yirgacheffe. It was the body and finish that I was disappointed in. I'll go back to the drawing board on this one. Impressive coffee but contains quite a few defects in the bag I got. Cupping it yielded all of the fruit and acidity I expect but odd, nutty popcorn flavors as well.

by Michaell Weiss on July 9, 2020

Beans are larger than average natural Yirgacheffe Looks very uniform, Very much grade 1. Easy to roast. Roast is predictable. 30 seconds into fast 1 st crack. 72 hours wait for espresso. Darker roast is better for french press and can be used in 24 hours. Darker roast though looses fruits. I admire people who tell that they feel mentioning all those fruits. I do coffee on near professional level over 20 years and I think they are just repeat the description of the seller. Misty Valley makes very pleasant near exotic espresso and cappuccino. Typical Yirgacheffe. Probably easy can give 93-94 points

by Dave Cummings on January 9, 2020

Part of the sample pack and I used it to learn more about my Hottop K2+ . Roasted it to Full City to see what it do as a dark roast. (Dropped it at 11:24/399F). Let it sit for 3 days. It came out with great body and a unsweetened cocoa aftertaste (very pleasant). Of all the Ethiopia coffees that I have tried from CBC and their competitors, this is the one I like the best. . Based on the other reviews, I will try to do this at a lighter roast level and see where that takes me. I will buy more to share with family & friends. Cheers! DaveCx

by Kerry on August 14, 2019

It had been years since I roasted this coffee. I thought I'd try it again and meh. There are many coffees that appeal to me, this is not one. I guess my palate doesn't find this one as fantastic as other reviewers. I enjoy Indian (Monsoon Malabar in particular), Papua New Guinea, Brazil, and Vietnamese coffees. .

by Syed Zaidi on December 29, 2020

This coffee exceeded my expectations. It is very aromatic, bright and sweet, I can add that it is chocolaty and fruity as well. All the attributes assigned to it in the coffee bean matrix are entirely valid. My preference is medium roast, preferably on the light side. There is just one other coffee bean from Nicaragua that I would rate as highly as this one.

by jgaude on December 2, 2020

First roast was to a light/med roast. Taste and aroma are amazing! Fruity, light chocolate, bright.. Awesome cup! Love this bean!

by Ceci on November 13, 2020

I tend to roast right to second crack. (The rest of my household doesn’t enjoy light roasts.) So I tend to look for brands that retain as much of their fruity or nutty notes up to SC. This coffee is quite good, but I think it lost those fruity notes mentioned in the description when roasted darker. Still, it’s quite good and I think if not roasted past a medium level, it will likely retain much more of those flavor notes. So I’m giving it a 4.

by callmejoejones on October 13, 2020

Might be the best coffee I’ve had.. a minute after first crack, through my kitchenaid siphon coffee maker... sooo good. I love it mixed into almost every other coffee I have too...

by Elson Boles on October 4, 2020

This is my favorite offering from Coffee Bean Corral so far. I'm a coffee snob, but I'm not a coffee expert. I know what I like, and I like Ethiopian beans, and from Kenya, and the natural processing because it leaves a residual Bourbon like flavor that I can't get enough of. They say to roast these light, but I think much more flavor come through when roasted to second crack. The friendly small-shop service is the best I've experienced, making me a loyal customer.

by jhyounis777 on September 5, 2020

Well, this just became my go-to coffee! I’ve tried other Ethiopian coffees recently that were absolutely fantastic - the Shantawene Sidamo and the Kayon Mtn Guji G1 - both of them made me want to try this one, and now I know why it’s so world-renowned. In my opinion, it makes the perfect cup of coffee. Checks all the boxes, so to speak. Before this, my go-to was Señora Fihor’s masterpiece, the Honduras 18-Rabbit Natural. That has now become my #2 thanks to this amazing coffee.

by paul daccache on August 19, 2020

it tastes great.

by sgallik on August 13, 2020

First origin I've tried based off altitude, I was not disappointed! I roasted my beans on my cast iron a bit after the second crack while constantly whisking. I love the light aromatic flavors in this coffee. It's complex in flavor and very smooth. I brew my coffee with a Bonavita on its pre-infusion mode for my freshly roasted coffees. I will definitely buy this again! Steph

by John C Dock Jr on July 17, 2020

Should have followed your advice of trying the 1/2 sampler before buying the 3 pounds. Don't like the "blueberry" taste or smell at all. Only roasted one batch so far, in time I'll try again.

by Jerry on July 9, 2020

Roasted until just after first crack stopped. I was floored by the overwhelmed and pleasant chocolate notes. The finish was perfect. One of my favorite beans and this was my favorite purchase so far.

by David A on June 8, 2020

BLUEBERRY ..... medium roast 450 deg rolling basket air fryer 35 minutes - 24 to 48 hour rest .... fine grind... 4 minute french press - blueberry.. not syrup sugar blueberry... but a light natural essence or as one other reviewer said .. muffin tone. You can smell it in the aroma too. Not everybody tastes it the first time, not all roast batches are strong... but when you get a strong batch... WOW... the lingering coffee flavor is like bakers chocolate which could be earthy to some. It seems the roast needs 24 to 48 hours to really come out. Being a medium roast .. and lighter roasting is good too.. its going to zing you out... nice caffeine punch, be ready for that. Now when I order coffee at Denny's .. I only do so to warm my hands.

by Mark on May 23, 2020

This is a fine example of dry processed Yirgacheffe. Complexity and aroma are even better than we expected. As close to a really great Yemen as I've ever had. Fantastic!

by Gary on May 16, 2020

I roast regularly for friends and family, and this one is the biggest hit of any bean I've sent to people. I get people asking for it non-stop. As others have said, it's quite complex, even compared to Ethiopia Natural Process coffees. A wonderful coffee!

by Mark on May 7, 2020

Absolutely fantastic! First crack at 465° F_4/9/7 Started cool down at 510° F_ 4/9/8 Dark and rich color.

by Sean Lawrence on April 23, 2020

This bean is one of my favorites, hands down! The natural processing provides a very pronounced berry quality that has been consistent over my many purchases, and is unlike any other coffee on the market. This Yirgacheffe is it's own food group and is better lighter than over-roasted.

by Coach52 on April 9, 2020

This is a wonderful example of a very complex cup of coffee. From your initial sip all the way through the cooling cup you will enjoy the many aspects it has to offer. I’ve found that my preferred roast level is about half way between first and second crack. I have done both city and full city plus roasts also and they too are very good. I will purchase more of this coffee and I believe you would find it to your liking.

by @MikeSigers on March 17, 2020

Tried a 1/2 lb sample. Have now ordered a 5 lb bag. That should tell you that me and my Hive Roaster have found the Blueberry Treasure Pot that er'body is searching for!

by kmcconomy on February 18, 2020

Absolutely love this coffee. Very fruity and a great chocolaty body. Easily becoming one of my favorites.

by Peter on January 5, 2020

Roast these little gems light or medium for a taste of pure goodness. Lighter roasts bring out a strong blueberry muffin tone. Unlike anything else ever. I've been roasting on a small commercial basis for 2 years and these are my favorite beans.

by eravau on November 9, 2019

I love natural processed Yirgacheffe and the sweet berry notes it always has. This one seemed a little more subtle on the berry than some Yirgacheffe beans I’ve had… but also had an incredible honey and graham aftertaste that I loved. This will definitely be a bean I come back for again and again. Roasted in my hot air popper to 30 seconds after the end of first crack. Drank 3 days later as espresso in a latte.

by Andrew Battaglia on March 9, 2019

This Particular (misty valley Grade 1 natural) notes not at all chocolate but more citrus! Dialed down the roast thru first crack on my second attempt to draw out the deeper tones and to no avail! all citrus and star fruit! Yes, Much Chaff but we it is a given with YC. it does need a bit of time to develop after roast to tone it down, so temper your palate at cupping for @ 60 to 70 hours. Great coffee to use on non rush delivery after roasting or prior to shelf or ship!

by Geoff in Topanga on February 9, 2019

First I took this to 2nd crack, and it was a bitter mess, but at City+ this bean really shines - as others have mentioned. Definitely a keeper!

by Doug on October 17, 2018

Ever since the original "Misty Valley" natural (Ethiopia Organic Idido - Misty Valley) exploded onto the market in 2007, I've been trying to find its equal. See, that first experience ruined me forever. It was highly forgiving, yielding intense blueberry notes across a fairly wide range of roasts. That blueberry essence is what I've chased for the last 11 years. I've roasted a hundred or more Ethiopian lots in that time...washed and natural...and never found its rival. I've never found those flavor notes in any washed Yirgacheffe, and hitting them in naturals is incredibly tricky: FC at most, don't push it into second crack, and try to find the sweet spot...which may be no more than 5 seconds in the roast. I've roasted this lot 4 times, brewed it both cold and conventionally...no blueberries. Didn't even feel like I got close. It's good, sure, a nice example of a natural Yirgacheffe, but it's just not exceptional...to my tastes. You may love it. Only way to know is to try it!

by Matthew on September 6, 2018

Misty is back! The two batches I already roasted have lived up to my memories. The previous batch was not my favorite but this one is almost back to the full blueberry essence that seemed so strong when this was available as an organic bean, many years ago.

by Gabriel J Reed on October 17, 2020

I started roasting coffee a few days ago. I bought one of those Barwell coffee roasters, the updated version, and I couldn't be happier. This was the first bean I roasted, and I initially under-roasted it. After realizing this, I roasted it again as dark as I dared, and it came out amazing! One of the best coffees I have ever tried.

by Sarah Hill on January 22, 2019

I LOVE this coffee. It is by far my favorite over all the others I have tried. If you want to drink your coffee black and enjoy the flavors, this is the one for you. It’s actually sweet on its own and has the most delicious after taste. I will drink this as long as it exists! Misty Valley is excellent!

by Andrew on September 6, 2018

Tired of the store-bought Meahhh...Started roasting again...Really liking this Misty Valley...Needs to rest 2 or 3 days after roasting...Shines in a Chemex.

by David on December 9, 2018

Oh my...when it says "heavy fruits," that's an understatement. I should have avoided this one as well as the other Ethiopian. The fruits are here aren't an undertone: they are smack you in the face, overpowering and blows out every other nuance of this coffee: I've never had anything like it...same with the other Ethiopian. I love a winey flavor in coffee such as a top shelf Kenya has but this is absolutely not that. After drinking less than a cup of this and the other Ethiopian, both went in the trash (and I have never once thrown coffee I roasted in the trash). And I agree with Doug....no hint of even Blueberry...just a sickening, overriding (I guess you can call it) fruitiness that is just flat out nauseating. And I do not know what the issue is with these Ethiopians from CBC...I have roasted many Ethiopians and never had one anywhere near this level of sickening fruit...sorry guys, these are just nasty. Sorry to have wasted the money.