Ethiopia Misty Valley Yirgacheffe Natural

by mcclurem on September 7, 2018

This Yirgacheffe lives up to all the 'hype'. Like the other Yirgacheffes we've had over the years, this delivers a full body, complex flavor...From first sip to last. Even as the coffee cools down, it still holds its flavor. For our roasting, we typically take it to ~2 minutes past first crack. Some place between FC and FC+. I agree with the other reviews: you don't want to take this into 2nd crack or beyond. Too much is lost in terms of the complex flavors. One caution: Like with other Ethiopians, there is a lot of chaff. Doesn't effect the flavor, but just be prepared to clean out a lot of chaff from your roaster. ;)

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 Paul Sweet on March 24, 2020

I'm relatively new to home roasting and I use a air popcorn popper. This coffee tastes like none of the other green beans I've sampled so far; it's a very distinct taste with strong blueberry and black cherry notes. It is delicious black. I roast until I hear the beginning of the second crack. Will try to go lighter.

by Backwoods Roasters on October 4, 2019

The roast is very easy to manipulate and it roasts to the desired flavor profile. The circus and nutty notes pair well.

by Jonathan Gladysz on September 27, 2018

I have tried roasting this bean many different ways and can't seem to find a sweet spot for the roast. Its good, but not $8.25 a pound good. Im roasting it light, but it just never tastes great.. maybe Im doing something wrong.

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 Paul W Sharkey on February 13, 2019

This is a coffee with a very distinctly unique flavor and may not be for everyone. At first, it took me back a bit and I wasn't sure I liked it at all. I was not about to throw it away though so I decided to give it another try. Second time around it still wasn't what I hoped for until -- sometimes I like to put freshly ground cinnamon with my coffee (Mexican style) -- and THAT did it! In fact, this particular bean seems to go especially well with cinnamon, better than other beans I have used this way. This bean and the cinnamon compliment each other very well. So, whenever I want a "Mexican Cup" [with my huevos rancheros] this is the bean I choose.

by Harry Nagel on January 2, 2019

I was concerned about the quality on the 3rd day after roasting. Bat it hit its stride on the fifth day and equaled my first batch. The next batch I will roast an extta minute.

by rchen2235 on November 3, 2018

I tried Vienna and Full City, it's Chocolate, balance, but a little bitter and lack of acidity or fruity. I use pour over with Hario V60 dripper.