The history of coffee is full of tales, both legend and recorded fact. There are spies and smugglers, kings and knaves, revolutionaries and reformers. But it is the origin stories that are the most mysterious, shrouded in myth.
Two of our most popular coffees are based on stories that reach back to the beginnings where all we have are rumors and fable. Our flagship blend, Dancing Goats, is named for the story of how coffee was discovered. But nearly as popular as our Dancing Goats Blend is our Organic Whirling Dervish Blend, named after the legend of how coffee first came to be consumed as a beverage: A renowned healer in the ancient city of Mocha, the dervish Omar was exiled by his enemies to the desert, where the only thing to eat were wild coffee cherries. When he boiled the cherries, the water became so fragrant he ventured to taste it and was revitalized and sustained, as were those who sought him out for healing. The whirling dervish was welcomed back to Mocha with his celebrated new medicine, Saint Omars Miracle Cure.
But as much as we enjoy the legends from coffee history, the popularity of Whirling Dervish Blend has nothing to do with its name or the story and everything to do with the coffee itself. Whirling Dervish is not only organic, it is shade grown and fair trade certified. While we are proud to offer such a sustainably focused blend, we are more proud of our customers for buying so much of it. And yet, despite its sustainable cred, Whirling Dervish customers tell us it is the taste that brings them back again and again. A deceptively simple blend, one coffee from the same farm roasted two different ways and blended, Whirling Dervish exhibits the complex flavors that can only be found when expert roasters explore dark roasts. We coax out hints of deep molasses, chocolate, and toasted almond without overshadowing flavors of cherry and orange zest.
This is why we call it the Harmonious blend. Our roasters balance the different roast styles to maintain a velvety body and delicate acidity. Whirling Dervish is a favorite among baristas for its versatility. It is a deeply satisfying drip coffee but also makes an excellent espresso. Our Training and Education department recommends brewing Whirling Dervish on a Chemex if you are exploring manual brewing methods. Regardless of what method you use, this blend is as rich and mysterious as the legend of Omar, the dervish after which the coffee is named.