Black Grapes coffee in London
1 speciality roast from 1 London roaster feature black grapes notes.
Black grape in the cup presents as a deep, slightly tannic fruit note with a rich sweetness and a dry, wine-like finish that lingers at the back of the palate. It differs from brighter red fruit notes by carrying more weight and a subtle astringency, often accompanied by a jam-like or almost vinous quality. This character typically arises from high concentrations of malic and citric acids alongside anthocyanin-related compounds in the bean, and is often encouraged by natural or anaerobic processing methods that allow extended contact between the coffee cherry's fruit and the seed.
Black grapes in coffee arrives as a deep, dusky sweetness — think ripe fruit with a slight tannic depth, closer to a full-bodied red wine than anything bright or sharp. This note tends to emerge from naturally processed or extended fermentation lots, where the fruit's sugars have time to work their way into the bean. In London, Urban Baristas are currently the sole roaster offering a coffee that carries this distinctive character.
Top rated black grapes coffee roasts in London
Speciality roasts carrying black grapes notes, ordered by community rating.
Roasters producing black grapes coffee
London roasters with the most approved coffees carrying black grapes notes.
Flavours that pair with black grapes
Notes that most commonly appear alongside black grapes in the same roasts.
How black grapes notes develop
Coffees from Ethiopia, particularly those from the Yirgacheffe and Sidama regions, often carry this note when processed naturally, as the local varieties and altitude contribute to complex fruit development during drying. Ethiopian Harrar naturals are also known for producing this deep, grape-like character with a particularly wine-forward quality. Central American naturals, especially those from Guatemala and Honduras, can sometimes produce comparable notes, though they typically present with a slightly softer, less pronounced depth.
What to look for
On a bag or menu, look for descriptors such as "natural process", "anaerobic", "wine-like", or "dark fruit" alongside notes of blackcurrant or plum, as these often signal the same fruit profile that produces black grape character. Filter brewing methods such as pour-over or Chemex tend to allow the note to express itself clearly without the additional body that espresso adds, though a well-dialled espresso of a natural Ethiopian can amplify its intensity considerably. Cupping, if you have the opportunity, is a particularly useful way to identify this note, as the extended steeping highlights the fruit-forward qualities of naturally processed beans.
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 black grapes notes.