Introduction:The 90+ Danch Meng is a sun-dried coffee from Ethiopia, renowned for its rich fruit notes and meticulous processing. This article delves into its flavor profile, processing background, regional characteristics, and offers practical pour over brewing suggestions to help you fully experience the unique charm of this premium coffee.
The 90+ Danch Meng is a product under the Levelup sub-brand of the Ninety Plus brand. It is a sun-dried Ethiopian coffee bean whose most distinctive feature is its ability to showcase intense cocoa, black raspberry, blueberry, and multi-layered floral notes through a rigorous post-harvest processing procedure. This coffee is not only highly recognizable in flavor but also represents Ninety Plus’s ultimate pursuit of coffee processing techniques.
Ninety Plus’s coffee flavor grading system categorizes coffees from weakest to strongest impact of fruit flavors on the overall taste profile into three levels: W2, H2, and N2. In terms of processing methods, W2 mostly refers to washed processing with a cleaner profile that emphasizes acidity and floral notes; H2 corresponds to honey processing, noted for its pronounced sweetness and tea-like qualities; N2 stands for natural (sun-dried) processing, exhibiting the most vibrant fruity acidity and intense fruit aromas — this is the category to which the 90+ Danch Meng belongs.
This coffee is made from local native varieties, grown at altitudes between 1700 and 2000 meters in the Kamabata region of Ethiopia’s SNNP zone. It was launched in collaboration between Ninety Plus and Bodhi Leaf and officially released in 2013. Its name, "Danch Meng," means "good path" in the local language, reflecting its refined flavor journey. This particular lot was cultivated by smallholder farmers in the Yirgacheffe area and processed by the professional team at Ninety Plus to ensure each bean reaches its optimal state.
In terms of processing technique, 90+ insists on selecting only fully ripe coffee cherries and frequently turns them during the sun-drying process to ensure even drying and prevent off-flavors — a key factor in achieving its clean yet complex flavor profile. Compared to conventional sun-dried coffees, 90+’s approach emphasizes greater precision, resulting in a final cup that is not only intense but also maintains excellent layering and balance.
Regarding roasting, the 90+ Danch Meng is typically lightly roasted to preserve more of the origin characteristics and bright fruit acidity. For pour over brewing, it is recommended to use a medium-fine grind, such as setting the Fuji Royal burr grinder to around 3.5, paired with a V60 filter cone, with water temperature controlled between 91–93°C. Specific parameters can be referenced as follows: 15 grams of coffee grounds, first pour 30 grams of water for a 27-second bloom, then pour up to 105 grams before stopping, wait until the water level drops halfway before continuing to pour up to 225 grams. The total brew time is approximately 2 minutes, with a suggested water-to-coffee ratio of 1:15. The final stage can be adjusted by stopping the pour if needed to maintain flavor purity.
It is worth mentioning that Ninety Plus does not name its coffees after traditional regions or farms, but rather based on the actual flavor characteristics identified through cupping. This makes each product feel like an independent work of art. For example, 90+’s Drima Zede (translated as “best approach” in the local language) fully reflects its boutique business philosophy and relentless pursuit of flavor excellence.
As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia boasts an extremely diverse growing environment and array of processing methods. The country is divided into nine major coffee-growing regions, among which Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar are classified as specialty coffee regions, predominantly using sun-dried or washed processing. Although sun-drying is a long-established method, achieving clean, bright fruit flavors through proper processing is no easy feat. With its professional expertise and strict quality control, 90+ has successfully turned this challenge into an advantage.
In summary, the 90+ Danch Meng is a highly representative premium sun-dried Ethiopian coffee, well-suited for coffee enthusiasts with a deep appreciation for flavor. Whether enjoyed as part of daily tasting or used as a benchmark coffee for pour over practice, it delivers a rich sensory experience. With the right grind size, water temperature, and brewing pace, its captivating layers of cocoa, berries, and floral notes can be fully unlocked.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
