One of the oft-recurring jokes in regards to the VTuber firm Section Join is that it’s truly a espresso retailer with a VTubing pores and skin draped over it. It defies frequent sense as a enterprise technique, but by some means they keep afloat. What sort of idiot would purchase espresso beans simply because there’s an anime lady slapped on the entrance?
Me. I’m that idiot.
And apparently, I’m not alone. At Anime NYC in 2024, all of the espresso was offered out by the point I received to their conference sales space. The next yr I used to be extra lucky, and I managed to get a bag of the Ember Amane customized roast. I wished to get the Dizzy Dokuro beans as properly, however did not bear in mind that her Dizzy Dizzy Espresso jingle could be so efficient at getting individuals to purchase hers specifically. Lesson discovered.
It helps that I occur to have gained a higher curiosity in espresso this yr. Because of a present from a good friend, I used to be inspired to start out attempting to make espresso at house, and it’s put me on this little journey. Section Join espresso dovetails neatly into this new minor interest. Additionally, I made a decision to purchase particularly at Anime NYC for a motive: I didn’t need to see what the tariffs would do to an internet order (and since it’s psychologically simpler for me to excuse a bizarre buy like this once I’m on the present ground).
As for the Ember espresso, the official retailer describes it as follows:
Fiery and enjoyable loving, the Ember impressed espresso has some very heat purple notes. The espresso bean chosen to match Ember comes from Papua New Guinea. This espresso has good stone fruit flavours and a fiery spirit with a slight floral notice to match Ember’s female attraction.
In making it, I used the next tools.
- A Kingrinder P2 hand grinder
- An electrical kettle
- A Bodum French press
- A Bialetti moka pot
I utilized James Hoffmann’s French press methodology and a simplified model of his moka pot methodology. The primary differs a bit from the extra customary strategy by utilizing a finer grind and a pair further steps, and the second is not like typical moka pot suggestions in that it makes use of almost-boiling water and a decrease flame. I went with a ratio of 30g of beans to 500g of water for the French Press, after which 30g of beans to 270g of water for the moka pot.
The ensuing coffees have been comparatively mild and delicate. I first tried it black, and It had an preliminary robust acidity, however that sourness pale shortly and transitioned right into a easy and nice end. Maybe attributable to my untrained palate, I couldn’t fairly style all of the issues the outline talked about when ingesting it black.
However then I made a decision to brew some extra and tried the espresso with different components, like oat milk, butter and salt, and skim cow’s milk. Whereas the primary two tasted all proper (and resulted in a comparatively much less harsh drink general), it was the cow’s milk that made an enormous distinction. That “stone fruit” taste within the official description, beforehand exhausting to detect, actually got here by. Whereas I didn’t attempt it with 2% or complete, I assume it will be even higher. This is applicable to each the French press and the moka pot.
Was it price the fee? Nicely, if you happen to’re attempting it only for the beans, you will get one thing about pretty much as good with out the waifu tax that transforms 225g of beans for a $40 USD buy at a conference (or $35 USD plus transport, and so forth. when ordering on-line). Nonetheless, the ensuing espresso isn’t unhealthy or disappointing by any means, and you might be simply getting a greater high quality product than shopping for some Dunkin’ or Starbucks. Even my amateur-ass self may make some tasty cups of joe with these beans, and I feel the Ember Amane mix is kind of good for individuals who would possibly sometimes be averse to espresso, supplied you utilize dairy milk of some form.
I don’t suppose I’ll find yourself attempting the complete Section Join espresso line, however I simply ordered the Dizzy and Clio blends (together with the Section Invaders Want album). We’ll see how they end up.
