The “Jessup Farm Artisan Village” has never intrigued me enough to make me want to visit. Their rural-but-trendy-but-also-sterile aesthetic has never really been my speed, not to mention that it’s fairly out of the way from where I usually commute.
However, one part of the complex I knew I needed to stop by at some point was Bindle Coffee. From friends to family to other baristas, I’ve heard nothing but good things about it–and I figured what better introduction to Bindle than a simple cup of black coffee?
As I opened the door and stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised by the interior design. Warm lighting shone down from the wooden walls, which were adorned with unique art and found objects. The shelves behind the counter were stacked up high, and stocked full of cups and condiments. It was cozy, but not claustrophobic, and had much more personality than the rest of the complex.
I stopped to look over their menu, and after some deliberation, opted for a $4 pour-over brew of a seasonal Ethiopian blend they had available. I had never had a pour-over before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the tasting notes listed on the counter were “Butterscotch, Tropical, and Juicy.”
The barista brought out my drink shortly, and I was immediately impressed with its presentation–definitely a far cry from the styrofoam cup I suffered through last week. I took my first sip.
“Juicy,” although a seemingly strange descriptor for coffee, really is the only way to describe the initial taste of this brew. It had a sour quality to it, but it was something you felt more than you tasted. Citrus notes started to develop. I don’t know if my palate is advanced enough to detect that it was “Tropical” citrus I was tasting, but the sweetness it lent complemented the sourness nicely. My favorite note was the subtle sweetness that developed in the aftertaste, what I could only assume was the butterscotch coming through. I sat and savored my drink for a good while.
Overall, this was an excellent cup of coffee. While I’ve historically never been a fan of “fruity” coffee, something about this specific blend made me learn to appreciate how those flavors can be incorporated without being too overbearing. I’ll definitely be back for more.
Black Coffee in Collins 