North Star Coffee Roasters
Northstar coffee roasters were the first coffee roastery in Leeds when they opened their doors in 2013.
They have a fascinating story about how they began their coffee journey in Kenya working alongside some of the most renowned coffee cooperatives in the country while on a academic research trip to study fair trade amongst small holder coffee farmers.
Since then they have created a brand that is constantly pushing the boundaries of speciality coffee here In the UK. Their focus on educating their Customers about where the coffee came from and celebrating all of the people in coffee producing countries is a wonderful insight into fourth wave coffee shops.
A passionate bunch of coffee professionals that are trying to bring the coffee farmers closer to the coffee drinkers.
North Star Coffee Leeds
The Coffee
Spoilt for choice trying to pick out a coffee, something pulled me to the natural Burundi, Maruri. Fruity flavour notes always entice me but I think it was because Burundi is an origin that I’m not too familiar with.
Located in Central Africa, Burundi’s mountainous geography and favourable climate are two of the reasons why it is one of the most highly sought after coffee’s in the world. Burundi is now experiencing a resurgence in the growing of coffee after years of civil war and conflict and has nearly started producing as much coffee as it was in its heyday.
The most common varietal in the country is Bourbon while others are also available. There are now many new farms across Burundi that have embraced speciality coffee and trade directly with roasters and buyers, which is a new thing in this country. Until 2008 all the coffee that left the country did so through the same washing systems making it very hard to trace the origin.
The Review
The initial fragrance of the coffee comes across a little more darker than a usual African coffee when I stuck my nose into the bag. While grinding the coffee did produce a couple of sweeter tones it still had a fragrance that I would associate with a darker roasted coffee.
The cup was incredibly clean and bright, what would you would expect from an African coffee. As I began to taste the coffee I could identify a tanginess to it, grapefruit or blood orange maybe. Once my tastebuds had got a feel of the coffee I began to taste some of the more delicate flavours, it turns into a more floral cup that was similar to Earl Grey.
Once rested and cooled for a while the citrus flavours resurfaced with a more grapefruit edge. A coffee that packs a few punchy flavours while maintaining a decent enough body for a long depth.
Brewed in a number of ways as per usual, the Aeropress for me produced a great cup.
Check out roasters like North Star in our monthly bean box.