Farm-to-Cup 101: How to Taste the World's Best Puerto Rican Coffee (Shop Online & Visit NYC/El Paso)
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You wouldn't rush a glass of fine wine, so why rush a cup of true single-origin specialty coffee?
At 787 Coffee, our beans travel directly from our Hacienda Iluminada farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico to your cup. This Farm-to-Cup journey ensures unmatched quality, but it also creates a flavor profile unlike anything else. Puerto Rican coffee is renowned for its low acidity, rich body, and smooth notes of dark chocolate and buttery caramel.
Ready to experience coffee as a true connoisseur? Here is your how-to guide on tasting the true essence of our single-origin Puerto Rican beans, whether you're brewing at home or visiting one of our shops in New York City or El Paso.
How to Taste Coffee Like a Pro in 3 Steps
Professional coffee tasting is called "cupping," and the steps are simple to replicate at home to unlock the hidden complexity of your brew.
Step 1: Smell the Fragrance (The Dry Grounds)
The nose detects far more flavor than the tongue. Before you add water, place a few scoops of your fresh coffee grounds in your mug.
The Action: Inhale deeply. Your goal here is to identify the fragrance (the dry aroma).
What to Look For: With authentic Puerto Rican single-origin coffee, you should detect a clean, rich foundation. Look for notes of cocoa, warm nuttiness, or fresh earth. The absence of any chemical or "baggy" smells is the first sign of a premium, fresh-roasted bean.
Step 2: Slurp for Flavor & Acidity (The Brewed Coffee)
This is the most crucial step. Once your coffee has cooled slightly (wait 3-5 minutes after brewing), it’s time to taste.
The Action: Take a loud, aggressive slurp. Seriously, don't be shy! Slurping sprays the coffee across your entire palate, engaging all your taste receptors and allowing the flavors to vaporize and reach your nasal cavity.
What to Look For:
Flavor: What does it remind you of? Our Puerto Rican coffee often features notes of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and a hint of stone fruit or caramel.
Acidity: Acidity is the pleasant, tangy sensation you feel on the sides of your tongue. Since our beans grow at a lower altitude, they naturally have a restrained, gentle acidity, which is what gives it that signature smoothness that Puerto Rican coffee is famous for.
Body: This is the weight or thickness of the coffee in your mouth. Is it thin and watery, or rich and velvety? Our honey-processed beans give the brew a full, buttery mouthfeel.
Step 3: Assess the Aftertaste and Finish
The sign of a truly great coffee is how the experience concludes.
The Action: Swallow the coffee and pay attention to what lingers on your tongue and palate.
What to Look For: A high-quality specialty coffee will have a clean finish—the flavor dissipates cleanly without a harsh, sour, or burnt aftertaste. The lingering sweetness, or the final note, should be pleasant and long-lasting, often resembling caramelized sugar or cocoa powder.
Ready to Taste the Difference?
You can’t evaluate a bean that isn’t truly Farm-to-Cup. Our process ensures that the unique terroir (climate, soil, and altitude) of the Maricao mountains is perfectly preserved, giving you the purest flavor possible.
✅ Shop Our Single-Origin Coffee Online: Get the beans that fuel all of our shops shipped directly to your door. Our online store is the perfect place to buy the best single-origin coffee beans for your new home cupping ritual.
✅ Visit Our Shops in NYC, PR, or El Paso: Want to taste it expertly brewed? Stop by any of our locations! Our baristas are ready to serve you a perfect cup of Puerto Rico's best-kept secret.
NYC Coffee: Find the velvety smoothness of our signature roasts right here in the Big Apple.
El Paso Coffee: Experience a true specialty cup with a clean finish and rich body.
Puerto Rico: Visit us where the magic happens and book a tour of our farm, Hacienda Iluminada!
Start your coffee tasting journey today. The world’s best coffee is waiting.
Live the Farm-to-Cup Story: Visit Hacienda Iluminada
The ultimate coffee experience is visiting the origin itself. Our entire Farm-to-Cup journey begins at Hacienda Iluminada in the mountains of Maricao, Puerto Rico, and we welcome all coffee lovers to join us. Booking a visit to the farm means more than just a tour—it's an immersive dive into the heart of our culture. While you’re there, be sure to experience these three things:
Book the Coffee Tour: Walk the rows of coffee trees, learn about the famous honey processing method, and see exactly how our beans are harvested and roasted.
Hike to the Waterfalls: Our farm is home to stunning natural beauty. Take the scenic walk to the private waterfalls for an unforgettable photo op.
Taste Coffee from the Source: Enjoy a fresh, handcrafted cup of coffee brewed literally steps from where the beans were grown, guaranteeing the freshest possible taste.
Ready to see how the world's smoothest coffee is made? You can learn more and book your Farm Tour on our website.
Live the 787 Coffee Experience in Puerto Rico: 3 Reasons to Visit Our Shops
Want to truly connect with the island's coffee culture? Don't just buy coffee online—immerse yourself in the full 787 Coffee experience by visiting one of our coffee shops in Puerto Rico. Our stores are a direct extension of our farm, offering a taste of authentic island life.
Taste the FRESHEST Coffee on the Island: Because we grow, process, and roast every bean ourselves, you are guaranteed the absolute freshest cup possible.
Experience Genuine Island Hospitality: Our baristas are known for their warm, welcoming spirit, ensuring your visit is not just a coffee run, but a memorable part of your trip to Puerto Rico.
Find the Best Coffee Near You: Whether you're in San Juan or traveling the island, our 787 Coffee locations are your reliable source for premium, single-origin Puerto Rican coffee.
Find a 787 Coffee Shop Near Me and stop in to say hola and grab a perfect cup today!
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