Roast Review: Dune Coffee Roasters

I learned about Dune Coffee Roasters from a friend, and I fell in love with the joyful branding and fun drawings on their website. Dune believes that “specialty coffee is for everyone, and should be accessible, approachable, and fun,” and that message ripples out across each consumer touchpoint. Just wait until you see all of their coffee bags.

I’m itching to get over to California to visit the shop in person, as well as the other incredible California-based coffee roasters we’ve featured. For now, I will admire from afar and consume at home. Luckily, the Wacaco products make it easy to enjoy Dune coffee absolutely anywhere. 

Ready to hear about our experience trying out Dune Coffee? Read on for the review of two roasts!

Ethiopia Gigesa

I was impressed to learn that about 850 smallholder farmers bring their coffee to Gigesa, which is a washing station located in the Guji Zone of Ethiopia. The coffee is grown in microlots and the fermentation process is aided by the local river. Dune includes this and more on the product page, which I so appreciate. Sipping coffee is so much more than enjoying what you have in your cup, it’s reflecting on and appreciating each part of the experience that had to come before. 

First impressions 

James opened the bright bag and inhaled the aroma of the beans within. 

“I’m getting dark chocolate and citrus notes,” said James. 

I took the bag from him and shook the bag around, then smelled the beans. 

“I smell a juicy fruit as well as something sugary like honey, syrup, and brown sugar,” I commented.  

I also admired the lovely, light color to the beans from the delicate roasting process.

We decided to use the Cuppamoka pour over method for this one. 

Tasting notes

“I think you’re right,” said James, “There’s something very sweet and I don’t get chocolate anymore at all.” He added that there were notes of honey and stone fruit, as well as an acidic finish.

For me, the coffee was crisp with a light mouthfeel and notes of honey and pear.

We agreed it was an ideal summer coffee and could imagine sipping it on the porch all season long. 

The reveal

Dune says that this coffee has notes of peach, grapefruit, and brown sugar. It’s refreshing and a definite crowd pleaser!

Zip Zinger

Zip Zinger is Dune’s signature blend and it can be enjoyed as coffee or espresso. Since we had tried the Ethiopia Gigesa as a coffee, we opted for espresso. I had been wanting to try out my new Minipresso GR2, so this was the perfect opportunity. 

First impressions

I could smell the freshly roasted beans before my nose even got close. The smell was potent and intoxicating, in the best way good coffee can be. 

When I really considered what I was smelling, I guessed chocolate, molasses, and a red fruit. There was a lovely blend of depth and brightness. 

“What do you think?” I asked James, handing the bag over to him.

He noted chocolate, brown sugar, and guessed that the fruit could be cherry. He commented on the potency and said he was happy that we decided to try this one as an espresso the first go around!

I used the Exagrind to prepare the beans, releasing even more of the lovely smell into the air, and James boiled the water. With the help of the small but incredibly mighty Minipresso GR2, we prepared two perfect espressos and each took a sip. 

Tasting notes

“Wow,” I said, “this is very earthy and grounding and sweet. I definitely get chocolate mixed with lighter notes, which creates quite a synergy for this delectable espresso.”

If I had to take a guess at the specific tasting notes, I would say strawberry and dark chocolate. With every sip I was noticing something new!

“Oh, it’s very tasty!” remarked James. “I’m definitely getting hints of cherry and cacao with a certain sweetness.” It’s powerful and easy to sip on at the same time. 

The reveal

Dune describes this coffee as: Dark chocolate, stone fruit, rich.

Zip Zinger could easily become a staple in our kitchen with its versatility!