Lemon

Lemon
Lemon

Lemon notes, as well as other related citrusy flavors or acidities, are prized in coffee. These usually express themselves as a bright accent in the cup, or aromatic citrus aspects, but not as blunt sourness.

Lemony brightness can take the form of fresh lemon pulp, citrus pith, dried lemon peel, or a lemon like baked good – lemon tart / pastry. These are all quite different expressions of a “lemon-like” coffee quality. There is also lemon grass, which is dramatically different, having herbal hints.

We sometimes find fresh lemon or peel in Kenya coffees, especially Muranga area in my experience. Burundi coffees can have wonderful fresh lemon aromatics and acidity. It is found in some wet process Ethiopias.

Lemon grass is different: whereas in my experience most lemon notes are in wet-process coffees, lemon grass can emerge in other processes, like wet-hulled Indonesian coffee.

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