Modus Coffee Roasting Company

A few years ago, I had a surfeit of time. Several mouse clicks later, I found myself in Japan, vicariously looking through the lens of someone’s camera that had captured a special moment at a certain cafe in Tokyo. The barista at this cafe looked very intent on crafting the perfect pull. All around him was verbiage in English. They read:

Modus Coffee.

I thought, “Modus Coffee must be Japanese! I must investigate this further.” A deep dive into the photo hosting website turned up specific results of Modus Coffee. I saw photos of a Modus Coffee cafe in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The wordmark was the same. I traveled virtually to Tokyo and from Tokyo to Vancouver; but, how could I extend this journey home with Modus Coffee in my hands?

Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Modus Coffee Roasting Company.

“Opus gives a flowery and fruity fragrance. I taste a tartness. This is like hibiscus tea! At the end I taste a citrus zest.”

First, let me say two things. My mom, Lisa and I tasted the coffee independent of the coffee descriptions. And if you want to know which coffee we liked best, you will be rewarded. Second, let me add one thing. Thank you, Canada and Modus Coffee, for your prompt services. Modus Coffee is currently offering free shipping on USA orders over $65. Global shipping is also available!

Like many people, for years I savored the smell of fresh roasted coffee beans long before I could appreciate my first cup. Then, like many people, I started drinking coffee that was more milk and sugar than coffee. Gradually, I began to seek higher quality coffee so I could taste better coffee that necessitated less cover-up milk and sugar. Eventually, my ratio of coffee approached the level of a coffee afficionado from a coffee producing country. I don’t usually take my coffee “black” but I come close sometimes. I do hit the mark every time with this roastery and its special wordmark:

Modus Coffee.

If ever there were an endorsement to the quality of a roastery’s coffee it would attest to the enjoyment of its purity. I always drink Modus Coffee black, pure and simple. If you are thinking, “Black coffee? Oh, it’s so bitter and heavy!” To this I say, “Where have you been? I have been where you have been. Be here now.”

Modus Coffee served pure and simple isn’t black. Depending on the bean, it can appear dusky, honeyed or even like golden rooibos tea. The quality of Modus Coffee beans, the excellence of their roasting, and the freshness of their beans or grounds elevates the coffee experience above and beyond the plane of coffee condiments. My mom, Lisa and I are about to taste a flight of Modus Coffee: Coast, Latif and Opus. Everything will be presented pure and simple. We didn’t miss a thing so you won’t miss a thing.

“Coast has a nice roasted aroma. The taste is light and not acidic. I’m picking up a hint of charred caramel that teases! This would be an excellent breakfast coffee because it’s so bright. I also taste a bit of chocolate, like unsweetened chocolate.”

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First up was Coast, steeped hot in the French press. Because the French press needs a coarse grind, I was careful to deliver a delicate balance of body that still procured a suitable source of essential oils. I wanted one of the beans to be steeped through the French press for another perspective. I thought that a Brazilian bean might go well with the French press and a slightly more well-bodied texture.

My mom was ready to take a sip of the first Modus Coffee in the flight, Coast. My mom raised the glass mug and admired its aroma. She took a sip and was delighted, “Oh, this is black coffee? You didn’t put anything in it? Coast is very light!” Lisa followed up with a sip and her take, “Coast has a nice roasted aroma. The taste is light and not acidic. I’m picking up a hint of charred caramel that teases! This would be an excellent breakfast coffee because it’s so bright. I also taste a bit of chocolate, like unsweetened chocolate.” I sipped and added, “Coast has a little bit of sweetness to it. It’s almost like caramel!” Without the coffee condiments, we can enjoy Modus Coffee in all its purity. It’s that simple.

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Next up was Opus, prepared hot and drip style. I ground the beans more fine, being careful not to overgrind the beans and express the acids. The body was definitely lighter than Coast that was steeped in the French press, but that was attributed to the more coarse grounds and simple filtration of the French press. Horses for courses. I chose Opus to be prepared hot and drip style because of its Kenyan sourcing. African coffee, especially those from the higher elevations tend to be lighter and less earthy than beans derived from Southeast Asia or Central America. African coffee also has a hybrid quality reminiscent of herbal tea.

My mom was eager to try her lovely cup of rosy coffee presented neat, again. She positively radiated, “Opus gives a flowery and fruity fragrance. I taste a tartness. This is like hibiscus tea! At the end I taste a citrus zest.” Two cups of Modus Coffee, and my mom is ready to go on a coffee tasting world tour. I looked over to Lisa who was already in motion with her mug. She answered, “I’m picking up a floral and fruity fragrance. Opus tastes like tea to me. I can taste all the flavors. They’re dancing on my tongue! It has a tart finish.” I didn’t want to be deprived (or depraved), so I took a sip to experience all the fun. I was picking up what they weren’t putting down, “Opus has a tartness to it like a black cherry. It’s almost like herbal tea, dried cherries and coffee. This is citrusy almost. I know that African coffee is light and has notes of herbal tea.” Got Modus Coffee?

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Last but not least was Latif, prepared hot and drip style, then cooled in a glass pitcher before being poured over ice. I selected Latif to be the iced coffee in the Modus Coffee flight because of its general description as “juicy and fruity.” This was the most lovely to behold. Latif really dazzled in the sun, as you can see in the final photo, a touching tribute to the arrival of summer.

“Latif is the most mild of the three. This is also the most refreshing. The color is rich, golden caramel while the scent is very light and herbal, almost a little fruity! I taste a spectrum of sweetness mixed with a bit of tart fruitiness. The deep flavor belies its light body.”

My mom was excited to be treated to iced coffee. For years she enjoyed iced coffee in Japan. It took a long time for iced coffee to become accepted in the United States. For years she would tell her friends about how she wanted a tall glass of iced coffee on a hot summer day. Iced coffee is a big thing here now. This glass wasn’t tall but it was virtually bottomless. Bottoms up, she raised her glass and took a long draw. I could hear the ice clink. Then came the lion’s breath in yoga. She exclaimed, “Latif has a nice apricot taste! This has a fresh fruity taste that is sweet, a little tart but light and refreshing.” I felt proud that I made the right choice for iced coffee; although, they’re all winners in every way. That being said, you will find out our favorites shortly. Lisa hoisted her glass and was ready for her refreshment. She took a few sips and was impressed, “Latif is the most mild. It’s also the fruitiest! I would think this could be a tea too.” I was last to try the last Modus Coffee in our flight tasting. The best is saved for last. I tasted deeply, paused, and summarized, “Latif is the most mild of the three. This is also the most refreshing. The color is rich, golden caramel while the scent is very light and herbal, almost a little fruity! I taste a spectrum of sweetness mixed with a bit of tart fruitiness. The deep flavor belies its light body.” It’s always a little sad when your flight lands and you arrive at your destination. At least half the fun is getting there.

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So, which were our favorites? Mom: “I like Opus best. I like Opus, Coast, Latif.” Lisa: “I like Coast best. I like them all but if I had to put them in order: Coast, Latif, Opus.” Me: “I like Latif best. I would go Latif, Opus, Coast.” We all laughed at how we picked unique favorites and placings. It couldn’t have been more perfect with Modus Coffee and our flight tasting.

Would we fly with Modus Coffee again? We have, and we will! Our runways are full and staged at intervals, ready to take flight!

To learn more about Modus Coffee Roasting Company, and to order, visit Modus Coffee Roasting Company

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“My camera is my witness. My blog is my voice.” ©2020