Every month, I explore two different coffee beans in Istanbul, sometimes from around the world. Here, I share their stories, tasting notes, and brewing impressions, from fruity Ethiopian beans to deep and nutty South American roasts along with suggested coffee companions.
October 2025 Selections
In October, two special coffee beans from the Coffee Department, an Istanbul-based coffee shop, are featured in our monthly selection
Ethiopia – Aricha
Notes: Lemonade, clove, green tea
Variety: Heirloom G1
Process: Natural
Brewed with: V60 using 92°C water
Impression: Bright acidity with a smooth and refreshing finish
Brazil – Jaguara
Notes: Fresh hazelnut, dulce de leche, milk chocolate
Variety: Yellow Bourbon
Process: Natural
Brewed with: V60 at 92°C or espresso machine for a rich, balanced espresso
Impression: Round body, mild acidity, and comforting sweetness
Coffee Companions:
Books: T Singer by Dag Solstad
T Singer opens with thirty-four-year-old Singer, a recent library school graduate, traveling by train from Oslo to the small town of Notodden in Norway’s mountainous Telemark region. His intention is to start a deliberately anonymous life as a librarian. However, Singer unexpectedly falls in love with Merete Saethre, a ceramicist with a young daughter from a previous relationship. After several years together, their relationship nears its end, but a car accident triggers a profound shift in Singer’s life.
The novel’s narrator emphasizes that this is not a happy story. Still, as with all of Dag Solstad’s works, the writing blends humor and darkness in a memorable way. Overall, T Singer represents a more explicitly existential turn compared to Solstad’s earlier works.