Velvet Blaze - Summer Moon Coffee Review

Born in the Texas Hill Country, Summer Moon Coffee has been dominating the coffee scene and growing steadily since 2002 when they opened their first coffee shop in Austin, TX. Their signature Texas oak wood-fired roasting process and secret sweetened milk recipe (Moon Milk) have made them a must-try spot for any Texan or explorer.

After Mr. Brew and I tried out their lattes, we took home a bag of their signature blend Velvet Blaze. This medium roast smells delightfully smoky. Their website says we should expect tasting notes of roasted walnut, blackberry, and milk chocolate.

Velvet Blaze has a very gentle nuttiness and a dry mouthfeel. The blackberry is present and offers a sweet, slightly tart freshness to the coffee, and brings a mild acidity that balances with the smokiness of the roasting process and the dryness of the walnuts. The milk chocolate appears more as an aftertaste – further contributing to the dryness – but does bring a slight creaminess to the cup overall.

Barista Notes:

This makes a great French press! Grind 50g to a medium/fine grind (more medium than fine) and add just enough 200℉ water to wet the grounds. When freshly ground, it will create a beautiful bloom that helps release the berry flavors. Allow it to bloom for approximately 30 seconds, then fill the press the rest of the way. Steep the grounds for 4-5 minutes before pressing and pouring. Drink it black, or add a splash of cream. Enjoy!

Blend this with… Chicory! If you are a fan of chicory, or you don’t have enough Velvet Blaze to fill an entire French press, blend the two together. We brewed our last batch with 35 g of Velvet Blaze and 15 g of Chicory coffee from French Market. It turned out amazing! The dry, smoky, and tart flavors of Summer Moon’s Velvet Blaze complemented the earthy, dark flavors of the Chicory coffee to create a beautifully dense, complex brew. I would highly recommend giving it a try.

Velvet Blaze is a great bag of beans to introduce any coffee connoisseur to the world of Summer Moon Coffee. The dryness of the walnut and chocolate and the sweetness of the blackberry creates a well rounded cup of coffee that is sure to please even the most stubborn of coffee lovers.