Lemongrass coffee in London
10 speciality roasts from 5 London roasters feature lemongrass notes.
Lemongrass in the cup presents as a bright, aromatic herb note with a citrus-adjacent quality that sits somewhere between fresh lemon zest and a grassy, floral sweetness. Unlike straightforward lemon acidity, it carries a softer, more perfumed character with a subtle earthiness underneath. This note typically arises from specific aromatic compounds, particularly certain terpenes and aldehydes, that develop in high-grown beans and are most likely to survive light to medium roast levels where delicate volatile aromatics are preserved.
Lemongrass in coffee brings a bright, aromatic lift — think freshly bruised stalks with a clean citrus edge that lingers gently on the finish. This note tends to emerge from Colombian and Ethiopian beans, where it is coaxed out through careful washed or anaerobic washed processing. In London, roasters such as Kiss the Hippo, cafēn and Nomad have each found their own way to let this delicate, herbal quality shine across ten approved roasts.
Top rated lemongrass coffee roasts in London
Speciality roasts carrying lemongrass notes, ordered by community rating.
Roasters producing lemongrass coffee
London roasters with the most approved coffees carrying lemongrass notes.
Flavours that pair with lemongrass
Notes that most commonly appear alongside lemongrass in the same roasts.
Where lemongrass coffee comes from
Origin countries that most often produce lemongrass-forward coffees among London roasts.
How lemongrass coffee is processed
Processing methods associated with lemongrass notes in London roasts.
How lemongrass notes develop
Lemongrass is most often associated with coffees from Ethiopia, particularly naturally processed or lightly washed beans from regions such as Yirgacheffe and Sidama, where the combination of altitude, heirloom varietals, and complex soil chemistry encourages unusual aromatic development. East African coffees more broadly, and occasionally certain Indonesian or Thai-grown micro-lots, can express this quality, though it is less common outside the African continent. Natural and anaerobic processing methods tend to amplify the note, as extended contact between the cherry and the bean often intensifies aromatic complexity.
What to look for
When scanning a bag or menu, look for tasting notes that include lemongrass alongside other herbaceous or floral descriptors such as jasmine, verbena, or fresh citrus peel, which often suggest the same aromatic profile. Ethiopian naturals or lightly washed lots listed with herbal or tea-like characteristics are a reasonable starting point. Filter brewing methods such as pour-over or Chemex tend to highlight this note well, as they allow delicate aromatics to come through clearly without the intensity of espresso masking the subtler herbal quality.
Find coffee matched to your taste
Take our 60-second flavour quiz and discover roasts across London that are aligned with your palate — including ones carrying lemongrass notes.