Roast Review: Café Grumpy

Roast Review by: Sheila Murray Photos by: Linked Ring

I’m delighted to tell you about my experience drinking two coffees from Café Grumpy, a roaster out of New York City. Café Grumpy got its start in 2005 and has proudly served its own house-roasted coffee since 2009. Although I haven’t been to one of their (many!) locations yet, I can feel the big heart and soul of this business from miles away. I especially like the following line from their about page:

“Whether you drink iced coffee in the winter, prefer your cappuccinos with oat milk or just like a cup of tea, we believe that diversity enriches life.”

Read on for the roast review of the Heartbreaker Espresso and Malacara Orange, El Salvador

Heartbreaker espresso 

First Impressions

Heartbreaker is Café Grumpy’s signature house espresso blend, so I was eager to find out what sipping it would inform me about Café Grumpy as a whole. Personally, I love trying out a new coffee shop by testing their house filtered coffee or house espresso. It reflects the personality and quality of the roaster and tells me what customers like to drink too! 

First Impressions

“I’m sensing fruit straight away,” said James after smelling the freshly roasted beans.

The smell of the coffee was intoxicating and I had so many guesses for the flavor profile! I noticed rose, strawberry, berry, brown sugar, and caramel.

James added that there may be a bit of citrus as well as chocolate and suggested we use the Minipresso Minipresso GR2 for this roast. 

I used the Exagrind to grind the beans, which released even more of the delicious aroma. We prepared two crema-topped espressos and each took a sip. 

Tasting notes 

“Wow, it’s such an easy sipper!” I noted. “It’s light and balanced with lovely hints of chocolate, pomegranate and nuts.” 

James said he enjoyed the light acidity, caramel, cacao, and round mouthfeel.

“That’s good!” He concluded. 

The reveal

Heartbreaker has tasting notes of blackberry, amaretto, dark chocolate. We recommend drinking it by the ocean on a windy day or first thing in the morning before a big adventure.

Malacara Orange, El Salvador 

First Impressions

James opened the bag of beans and I could smell it from a little ways across the room, thanks to how freshly roasted it was! I could immediately tell it was going to be a good one. 

I shook the beans around in the bag and released its sweet aroma.

“Oh!” I exclaimed, “It’s even brighter than the last one!” The smell was so sweet and delicious and I noted hints of raisin, chocolate, marshmallow, and citrus.

James guessed at a certain richness, chocolate, and hazelnut. He said that there was something sweet and alluring about this coffee, while also having a bit of acid to balance it all out. 

Tasting notes 

“It’s so cozy and inviting,” said James. He noted sweet butterscotch, hints of caramelized butter, a smooth mouthfeel and a touch of orange.

I agreed that this coffee had a pleasant, smooth mouthfeel that made you want to sip it all day. I also noted brown sugar or maple candy and a refreshing hit of citrus fruit. The melody of flavors came together beautifully and left us energized and happy.  

The reveal

This coffee has notes of orange, vanilla, and maple sugar. Make sure to read the history behind this coffee and learn about Malacara! We recommend sharing this one with friends and taking it with you on a roadtrip.