Espresso Paladino

Notes on Espresso Paladino

Paladino is acclaimed for it's classic espresso flavor profile. It possesses a balance of creamy, honeyed body and fine acidity in the finish. Having proven itself in countless barista competitions, this blend is roasted a bit darker than medium or Full City stage.

The five origins that comprise Paladino are selected for their unique contributions to the aroma, body, sweetness, and aftertaste of the brew. The resulting crema is flecked with caramel and cocoa flavors that deliver an aftertaste to match.

We recommend Paladino for home use in a filter brew, French Press, or your home espresso machine. As a slow filter brew, it is round and complex and decidedly smooth in its character. With the proper espresso extraction, more nuances come to the forefront and a sparkling acidity excites the palate.

Blend Notes

Espresso Paladino is a tried and true classic espresso blend of 100% Arabica coffees. Composed of South American, Indonesian, and African origins, Zoka uses only the highest grade of coffees that are also featured as single origins on our menu. The rich base of pulped-natural coffees and clean high-notes of washed varieties are responsible for the optimum balance and sweetness in this blend.

Pulped-natural processing leaves the sugary mucilage on the bean after pulping and throughout the drying stage. When this process is executed perfectly, the coffee can exhibit an unusually sweet and honey-like body that is ideal for espresso.

Perhaps no other espresso blend has been as vigorously scrutinized and tested as has our Espresso Paladino. A veteran of countless barista competitions locally and globally, Paladino has never disappointed. In worldwide competition, this blend has supported some of the highest ranking American baristas � Dismas Smith, and Phuong Tran. In the national competition, Paladino has been used by baristas placing first, second, fourth and fifth during the course of the 2002-2005 USBC (United States Barista Championship) finals. As of this writing, Paladino stands behind the barista champions of the Northwest and Midwest regional competitions, as well as the third place finisher in the Great Lakes competition.

We roast this coffee just past the Full City stage. Any darker, and the roast would overcome the range of flavors we have assembled, any lighter and the fine acidity would sharpen the edges.

Cupping Notes

Smooth, heavy and lush in its sweetness. Thick, flecked nutty crema, which coats the palate and finishes with a subtle acidity. The aftertaste is reminiscent of baker�s chocolate and walnuts with a lingering caramel finish.

Product Reviews

Zoka's Espresso Paladino is the Cristal of Espresso

I live in San Francisco now. The rain drove me away from Seattle! At the top of my list of things I miss about Seattle is my Mega Zoka Americano, an inch of room, 2 equals, and lots of cream! MMMMMMMMHHHHMMMMM! YUM! It was always worth the guaranteed wait. If it has an orangy film on top, you are in for a treat, because your barista put some real love into it. Now I thank all the technology gods for making it possible for me to buy it online. Exept now, there is no painful wait and it tastes 10 times better. Dear coffee lovers, the espresso paladino blend is remarkable! Once you try it, you will always want it over anything else. Dear Zoka team, please don't ever change it. It is perfection and it puts all other espresso's to shame....

Fantastic!

This is one of my favorite Zoka coffees, it's even good as a drip in my opinion. The description says it perfectly - "Smooth, heavy and lush in its sweetness."