Dark Side Blend

From ST. ALi in South Melbourne, VIC

Tasting notes

Dark Chocolate, Stewed Plum, Baking Spice

Origin
A blend. The roaster does not list the origins.
Roast
DarkEstimated. The roaster does not state a roast level.
Caffeine
Regular

What ST. ALi say

Inspired by the most infamous dad in the galaxy, this blend leans dark and devoted. A soft, syrupy body carries notes of dark chocolate, black cherry and warming spice, rich, heavy and unapologetic. Coffee for the dad you'd cross the galaxy for.

The Dark Side Blend embraces the richer side of the Force. Dark chocolate and stewed plum are backed by warming spice and cedar, creating a bold, syrupy espresso with a smooth, lingering finish that stands strong through milk.

The Dark Side Blend is at its most powerful as espresso but is equally at home in a plunger or stovetop brewer. Add milk and its rich chocolate notes shine through, proving that some paths are stronger than others.

The Dark Side Blend rewards precision. If your shot runs too fast and tastes thin, grind finer. If it runs slow and finishes bitter, go slightly coarser. Aim for a steady, syrup-like flow from around the 8-second mark. Pull a longer yield (52g) to reveal more sweetness and spice, or a shorter shot (46g) to unlock the full power of its rich chocolate body.

Fill the basket level and don't tamp, as this can lead to over-extraction and bitterness. Brew over medium heat and listen closely. As soon as the coffee begins to bubble and sputter, remove it from the heat to preserve its rich chocolate sweetness and warming spice. Leave it too long, and even the dark side can become overpowering.

Pour enough water to saturate the coffee, give it a gentle stir and allow it to bloom for 30 seconds. Top up with the remaining water, place the lid on without pressing, and steep for 4 minutes. Press slowly and serve immediately to avoid over-extraction. Expect a rich, full-bodied cup with layers of dark chocolate, warming spice and a smooth, syrupy finish worthy of the dark side.

Rich enough to stand up to milk without losing its character. Whether you choose full cream, skim, almond or oat, expect notes of dark chocolate and warming spice to shine through. Equally at home as a piccolo, flat white or latte.

This separates strength from flavour intensity , which is exactly how a specialty coffee audience would interpret it.

Absolutely. The Dark Side Blend was crafted to pair beautifully with milk. Its rich, syrupy body and notes of dark chocolate and warming spice cut through everything from a piccolo to a large latte, with full cream and oat milk being natural companions. It also stands confidently on its own as a bold espresso, long black or plunger—proof that the dark side isn't just powerful, it's remarkably balanced.

The Dark Side Blend brings together coffees from three origins: Brazil, Indonesia and Uganda. Brazilian natural coffee lays the foundation with rich chocolate sweetness, Indonesian Sumatra adds earthy depth and warming spice, while Ugandan natural coffee contributes ripe fruit character and a syrupy body. Together they create a bold, balanced blend with enough power to satisfy even the darkest side of the Force.

Quoted from the ST. ALi product page

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$14.22 /100g
3 sizes from $32.00
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