Tasting 5 Coffees from Nossa Familia

Portland, Oregon-based roaster Nossa Familia, whose name means “our family” in Portuguese, has coffee-producing roots in Brazil that date back for more than a century. A lot of companies talk about relationship-driven coffee but Nossa Familia takes the practice to heart. The company’s Family Line of Brazilian coffees are named after the founder’s family members with blends created to reflect the namesake’s personality.

They also source coffee through relationships with farmers and friends in Cameroon, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Peru who focus on sustainable practices. Each coffee comes with its own story detailing the harvesting, milling and bagging process, and producer relationship.

Guatemala Geisha – Finca San Jerónimo Miramar
This Gesha from Guatemala has a sweet candied citrus fruit flavor. I detected hints of roasted orange, malt candy, and nutmeg, but the description lists notes of bergamot, clover honey, jasmine, and cascara. Either way, the taste is sweet without being too delicate. It has some weight to it. This coffee is perfect for manual brewing and taking your time enjoying the experience. It’s grown on the Bressani Family farm where the producer is described as a friend of the family.

Medium Full Cycle
This is Nossa Familia’s signature blend, which includes Brazilian and Guatemalan beans. Full-body flavor without too much sweetness or bitterness with a warm, nutty flavor and chocolate aroma. The blend is designed to be used for drip or espresso and it makes a strong, weighty espresso shot. Part of the coffee’s sales will benefit local community cycling organizations.