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Percol Americano

Percol Americano
Percol Americano
Brand: Percol
Rating:

After last week's disappointment, this week's coffee is another case where appearances are deceptive - but with a far happier result.

Percol describe their Americano as "the original 'Joe' that's big and bold". Immediately I know the kind of coffee they're talking about; that dark, strong brew that sits in the coffee pot of just about every eatery in the US.

It's not a coffee I love. It's hot and it's full of caffeine, but it's bitter and relatively flavourless and is more something to be endured than enjoyed. Sorry, America, but your regular cup of Joe is not a positive experience.

Percol's Americano is not a regular cup of Joe. Or rather, it is, but it's Joe at its very, very best.

The grounds are dark and strongly aromatic - burnt toast, sour black cherries, darkest caramel and just an edge of old wood.

Brewed, the aroma keeps the slightly burnt notes but the fruit becomes citrus and slightly sharp.

In the mouth, it's full bodied and bitter, but with just enough of that slightly citrus fruit and gentle brown sugar sweetness to offset it. The finish is dry and acidic, which just has you sipping more and more. It's what you wish a regular cup of Joe was like.

This is not a fancy coffee. There aren't layers of subtle flavours. But it's bloody nice. 4.5 stars.

Many thanks to the Fairtrade Foundation for providing this sample.



This review was originally published 8th December, 2014. It was last updated 1st June, 2023.