This is a tale of a very misunderstood K-Cup known as Timothy’s San Lorenzo. Here’s a description from the Keurig site: This coffee, roasted in a very dark, tangy Parisian fashion, has an assertive flavor and is silky smooth. 

The trouble is that San Lorenzo is described as a dark roast but has no tangible qualities of a dark roast. Because of this, it has been tossed aside by some dark roast lovers. If only the world knew the truth…

The Story

I first ordered Timothy’s San Lorenzo from a trader at kcuptrade.com. Because it said “dark roast,” I thought I’d brew at 10oz. Big mistake. It tasted like dingy water. I thought, “Okay, let’s try this baby at 8oz.” Some improvement–smooth, slightly sweet but still not much flavor and a stale finish. Blah. I give up.

Months later my father-in-law also orders some San Lorenzo and tells me it’s good at 6oz. So I decide to give it one more try, and I am wowed. It is yummy! A great discovery: buttery smoothness, interesting little bite of an aftertaste, and butterscotch notes at the end.

To wrap up this riveting tale (sarcasm intended), San Lorenzo is actually a medium roast that doesn’t have enough coffee in the K-Cup to be full flavored at 8oz but at 6oz is just right. Light roast fans would probably enjoy this K-Cup too.

The End.

[Quick side note: After reading some positive reviews from dark-roast drinkers, I’m wondering if the quality differs from box to box.]