Soul Shaker - Just Coffee Co-op Review

When Texas spring rolls around, we need a fresh bag of coffee to shake our souls and get us in the mood for warmer weather. Just Coffee Co-op’s bag of Soul Shaker did just that for me.

I was drawn to this bag first for the bright colors and Fiesta vibes. But I was further intrigued by the flavor profile of “vanilla, apple, and citrus.” Reading it at the store, I expected that it would be a sweet and fruity blend of coffee that was sharp and acidic. Although not my usual go to, I knew I needed to give this a try in hopes that it was a nice transition to lighter summer brews. 

When I first smelled this coffee, it had a very pleasant medium roast aroma with a hint of sweetness. I had expected a strong punch of vanilla and citrus and instead, I was greeted with the mellow notes of these flavors instead.

After brewing in our French press, I noticed the subtle sweetness, especially of the vanilla. It commanded the palette compared to the apple, and the citrus was left behind. The blend of vanilla and apple is pleasant and lightens the coffee’s profile. I cannot taste the citrus outright like I have in other coffees, but I do catch hints of a refreshing undertone.

Barista Note: When you are brewing hot, especially with a French press or a pour-over, do not forget the bloom! This coffee’s flavors are subtle and making sure you allow time for the gasses to release will help those flavors come through and refresh your every sip. 

When we made a cold brew with this, it had a good strong coffee flavor. The sweetness of the vanilla and apple was faint. 

Just Coffee Co-op is an employee owned coffee roaster out of Wisconsin that is dedicated to fair trading and sustainable practices. They created this blend in order to share “a coffee that will have you saying, ‘Let’s get up and get shaking!’ first thing in the morning.” The combination of medium roast beans with the light and refreshing vanilla and apple is just what you need first thing in the morning.

Cheers,

Mrs. Brew