Every coffee has its own unique flavour profile, and usually, we put those tasting notes on the box to guide you. For this release, we’re leaving them blank.

Hidden Gems is an omni roast designed to challenge your palate. We want to see if you can identify the three core tasting notes that define this profile. If you can accurately guess the official notes of this roast, you could win a beautiful brand-new Moccamaster KBG Select in Turquoise! (RRP: £249).

How to find the notes

Since the origin and process are still listed on the Hidden Gems box, you’ve already got a map to work with. A washed coffee will always speak a different language than a natural process, so use that context as your starting point. From there, it’s all about slowing down and paying attention to the layers.

When you’re tasting your Hidden Gems, try breaking it down into three stages:

• Brightness: what’s the first thing you notice? Look for the acidity - is it sharp and punchy like citrus, or soft and rounded like stone fruit?

• Sweetness: once the initial acidity settles, look for the sugar. Is it light and delicate like honey, or heavy and toasted like caramel or brown sugar?

• Finish: what lingers on your tongue? Is the aftertaste clean and tea-like, or creamy and rich?

The biggest mistake most people make is tasting coffee while it’s still piping hot. High heat actually masks complexity, so we recommend tasting your brew at three different temperatures. As the coffee drops toward room temperature, the acidity becomes more defined and the real ‘gems’ in the flavour profile start to reveal themselves.

The big reveal

You have from April 18th to May 18th to grab a box, get brewing, and submit your guesses via the QR code inside the box.

On May 19th, we’ll be dropping a video of our Head Roaster, Nat, cupping the coffee and revealing the official tasting notes. We'll walk through exactly why those specific notes were chosen and, of course, announce who’s taking home the Moccamaster!

Everything you need to know about the farm and the roast is on the box - the rest is up to you. Read the full terms and conditions here, and get in touch with info@machina-coffee.co.uk with any questions. This is designed to be a celebration of tasting coffee and trusting your palette, and we hope you have fun with it!

Good luck!