Although the holiday season is waning and Christmas passed without any whiteness, the province’s coffee roasters still have some supplies of specialty holiday blends, and this is a survey of some of the better ones, locally and on the coasts. The descriptions are wonderfully fanciful too and so are the blends; the roasters seem to put special effort into these combinations and they exhibit warm and broad flavours.

Pilot

Pilot Coffee Roasters holiday winter blend speaks of cranberry, cinnamon & buttery qualities and sells for $20.50/300g. “It’s that time of year where we celebrate seasonal flavours coming together in perfect harmony. We draw inspiration by our favourite baked treats, with rich aromas that permeate our homes and holiday memories. This year we’ve combined an arrangement of varietals from Huila, Colombia, and Ethiopia’s vibrant Guji region. Expect notes of chocolate, cranberry acidity, and sweet cinnamon spice,” says Pilot. “A warm start to a chilly morning, perfectly paired with a sugar cookie, and best enjoyed with the ones you love.”
In addition, $1 from every bag is donated to the Red Door Family Shelter, assisting families, refugees and women in need. Pilot is excellent at shipping fresh beans all over the place so give this roaster a try.

Detour

Hamilton’s Detour Coffee Roasters is a personal fave, especially with its Punch Buggy and Bouncy Castle espressos. It has both seasonal filter and espresso blends. “It’s cheerful and festive, like fresh figs, sparkling cranberry juice, stringing up bubble lights on the tree and Mariah hitting that opening chorus of ‘All I want for Christmas is you,’ while you ice gingerbread cookies. Detour’s holiday blend combines Kenya Mutira, a vibrant and winey-washed coffee. And a layered and sweet, fruit-forward, naturally processed regional blend from Honduras called Cabanas from the Santa Barbara region. The espresso version “feels ultra cozy, warm and nostalgic, with just the right touch of elegance, like fresh cherries, a slice of stollen topped with sweet marmalade, and indulging in a sticky toffee pudding while watching Home Alone, with ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ crackling in the background.” One can always depend on Detour for whimsical descriptions. Both blends are $23/300 g.

Propellor

Propellor’s Limited Edition Seasonal Blend is “the perfect cup to curl up with, or a fantastic gift for the coffee enthusiast in your life! There are two incredible lots in this blend – Burundi Kibingo + Guatemala San Gerardo – and supplies are now limited. Tasting Notes describe Chocolate, Hazelnut, Stone Fruit. $21.5/300 g.

Java Works

Back for a limited time, Java Works’ Holiday Blend is “created with the winter months in mind.  This Arabica blend boasts rich nutty and roasty flavours with a deep chocolatey finish.  Perfect to warm you up through the holidays!  While supplies last. $14.95 300 g (a bargain).

Firebat Coffee Roasters

Holiday Blend 2023 edition is here! “We are excited to share with our coffee community a carefully crafted coffee for this season. The combination of washed and anaerobically processed pacamara with a delicate naturally sun-dried bourbon results in a multiverse of chocolate undertones. Heavy notes of dark chocolate covered fruit radiate from this coffee regardless of brewing method. “$21/340gThis blend also helps those in need during the holiday season, as $1 from every bag sold goes to Oakville Fare Share Food Bank.

Jumping Bean

A lively roaster from Newfoundland, with seven cafes, Jumping Bean offers “carefully selected beans combined with the taste of graham cracker and mixed with the flavours of cinnamon, vanilla and hazelnut.” $15.99/340 g.