Experimental Brews at The Community Coffee: The Ayel Gobena Aeropress

This week, I stopped by The Community Coffee, a brand making waves in the local scene for its focused, no-nonsense approach to specialty coffee.

While their Far East Plaza outlet is a popular quick-stop for shoppers, I was there for their experimental menu. I spotted a card for the Ayel Gobena from Ethiopia, a 72-hour Anaerobic Natural, and knew I had to try it.

The Setup:

The Bean: Ayel Gobena (Ethiopia)

Process: Anaerobic Natural (72-hour fermentation)

Roast: Light (Filter)

Flavour Notes: Pineapple, Mango Tea, Violet

Origin: Uraga, Ethiopia

The Community Coffee doesn't hide the process. I watched the barista weigh the beans and use an Aeropress to extract the coffee over ice. The Aeropress is a fantastic tool for bringing out the sweetness and body of a light roast without over-extracting the delicate floral notes.

What I tasted:

The first sip was shockingly sweet. It genuinely tasted like a tropical fruit punch. The Pineapple notes hit you immediately, followed by a deep, syrupy Mango Tea sweetness. As the ice melted and the coffee cooled, a delicate Violet floral note emerged, giving a beautiful, clean finish.

The body was incredibly round and smooth. It didn't have the harsh acidity you sometimes get with intense anaerobic naturals. It was just sweet, juicy, and incredibly refreshing over ice.

The Community Coffee is doing something right with their experimental menu. At around $8-$16 for a specialty filter, it’s the perfect treat for a hot Singapore afternoon.

If you want to know more about where to find great specialty coffee around Singapore, check out The Coffee Grid's interactive map (link in bio) to plan your next cafe hop!