Years of being a barista had one somewhat fortunate/somewhat unfortunate outcome: It made me a very persnickety girl when it comes to the coffee I brew at home. Does that mean I’m regularly shelling out $20 for fancy bags, though? Immediately no — why would I?!
Plenty of grocery stores, like Aldi, have some expensive-tasting bags hidden in plain sight. In total, I taste-tested nearly a dozen of Aldi’s coffee options, kissing a few frogs along the way (it was well worth it). I ended up finding a bag that would even fool your snobbiest friend.
Did all that caffeine make me feel like I could taste time and travel through alternate dimensions? Of course, but I’m more than happy to put my body on the line for my craft. It led me to the Barissimo Fair Trade Certified Single Origin Guatemala Ground Coffee.
What’s So Great About Barissimo Fair Trade Certified Single Origin Guatemala Ground Coffee?
Typically, when I see tasting notes for coffee or wine I think to myself: Yeah, sure, whatever. I, of course, want to taste hints of toasted pecan or ripe cherries, but more often than not, a grocery bag of coffee tastes like … a watery version of your takeout coffee order. But Barissimo’s Fair Trade Certified Guatemala Medium Roast Coffee is hardly one-note and keeps me from drifting off to my neighborhood coffee shop.
It has dimension. This single-origin bag is smooth and rich, with a mellow acidity that adds a pop of brightness — like a hunk of dark chocolate bark studded with dried cherries. Plus, it easily tastes like some of the $15 to $18 bags I’ve bought in the past, yet clocks in at just over $7.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Barissimo Fair Trade Certified Single Origin Guatemala Ground Coffee?
As I’ve found, this coffee is delicious any way you take your coffee. Need it hot, strong, and quick? It’s ground up perfectly, ready for high-octane brewing right out of the Aeropress or Bialetti Mokapot, where it especially shines, in a cafecito, or a Spanish latte (just add your favorite can of condensed milk).
Feeling a bit more patient? Cold-brewing this in a French press yields liquid gold that’s further mellowed in the acidity department, yet it stays rich enough for anyone who needs a good jolt. Add a bit of maple syrup, and a splash of your favorite milk, and you’ll have your new favorite coffee order.
Buy: Barissimo Fair Trade Certified Guatemala Medium Roast Coffee, $7.19 for 12 ounces at Aldi