BorgmanBorgman blend

BorgmanBorgman Blend is the signature house blend from Borgman & Borgman in Leiden. This blend of in-house roasted beans from multiple origins is known for its rich, balanced flavor profile and is composed and roasted with great care.

BorgmanBorgman Blend is a mix of quality beans from Brazil, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The roastery carefully selects these beans from farms known for producing excellent coffee. For example, the Guatemalan beans come from high-altitude areas (around 1,750 meters) in Huehuetenango, which leads to more complex flavors. The choice of these specific origins is deliberate, father and son Borgman selected the coffees they personally liked best and whose flavors complement each other beautifully. Each origin contributes its own character, Brazilian beans bring creamy sweetness and nutty undertones, Costa Rican beans add a fresh hint of citrus and chocolate, and coffee from Guatemala delivers fruity accents with a chocolate character. The precise recipe of the blend remains a closely guarded house secret.

Borgman & Borgman roasts the blend on-site in their coffee bar, on a traditional Giesen W6 drum roaster. They work according to the slow roast method, the beans are roasted at a lower temperature and a bit longer to develop a naturally smooth, non-bitter taste. Because they roast several times a week in small batches, the beans are always fresh. The roasters can precisely control all roast parameters, from temperature to drum speed, giving them significant influence over the final flavor profile. The result is a medium to dark roast, specifically tailored to espresso brewing methods. This roast delivers a full body and rich flavor without overpowering bitterness, keeping both straight espressos and milk drinks in balance.

BorgmanBorgman Blend is characterized by a sweet, spicy taste with clear notes of chocolate. The aroma is full and inviting, with hints of spices and cocoa bean. Thanks to the combination of beans from different countries, each sip offers plenty of layers, subtle fruity undertones (such as a touch of orange or berries) and nutty accents can be found alongside the core flavor. The coffee has a medium to full body and a pleasantly smooth mouthfeel. In the finish, the chocolate notes linger, often combined with mild spiciness, resulting in a long, pleasant aftertaste.

The different components of the blend each undergo their own processing at origin, which contributes to the complex flavor. The Costa Rican and Guatemalan beans are mostly washed processed: the pulp of the coffee cherry is removed immediately after picking, after which the beans are thoroughly washed and dried. This washed process yields a clean, clear cup with lively notes. The Brazilian beans, by contrast, are often dried by the natural method (natural process), in which the whole cherry dries in the sun. This method imparts extra sweetness, a full body, and sometimes lightly fruity or wine-like nuances to the coffee. By combining both washed and naturally processed beans in the blend, a fine balance emerges between fresh clarity and rich depth in the flavor.

The BorgmanBorgman Blend is made entirely from Arabica coffee beans (Coffea arabica), the species known for its refined taste. Within that 100% Arabica, multiple varieties (cultivars) are used to add complexity. For example, the Guatemalan coffee includes the Pacamara variety, a large bean praised for its intense, layered flavors, while the Costa Rica component comes from varieties such as Caturra and Catuai that provide a balanced sweetness in the cup. The Brazilian beans are largely of the Bourbon type, such as the Yellow Bourbon cultivar, known for its soft, honey-sweet profile. Each variety contributes something of its own: Pacamara often brings floral fruitiness, Caturra/Catuai deliver rounded sweet notes, and Bourbon adds a creamy chocolate character. The mix of these coffee families gives the blend extra depth and a broad palette of flavor nuances.

At Borgman & Borgman, ethical sourcing is a top priority. They source their green coffee through organizations that buy directly from coffee farmers, allowing conditions on the plantations to be better monitored. The Borgmans pay a fair price for the beans so that not only the farmer but also the pickers are paid fairly for their work. In this way, they consciously invest in fair trade and support for coffee communities. Sustainability also plays a role: many of their partner plantations use environmentally friendly methods. One example is a Costa Rican cooperative in Llano Bonito, West Valley, where rainwater is reused and eco-pulpers are employed to process the coffee beans with minimal environmental impact. Through such collaborations, Borgman & Borgman ensures the blend is not only delicious but also responsibly sourced.

This blend shows its best as an espresso. In a semi-automatic espresso machine or a super-automatic, the beans develop a rich crema and maximum flavor intensity. Thanks to the robust chocolate tones and a spicy hint, the coffee is also excellent for milk specialties: a cappuccino or latte made with the BorgmanBorgman Blend gets a wonderfully creamy, mocha-like taste. For home baristas without an espresso machine, there are alternatives. This blend works well in a moka pot (Bialetti percolator) — not coincidentally, Borgman & Borgman sells such pots themselves — producing an espresso-like, powerful cup. A French press (cafetière) can also be used; that brew method accentuates the full body and deep flavor, though the result is a bit less concentrated than espresso. For filter methods (such as V60), a lighter roast is generally recommended, but those who enjoy a robust filter coffee can try the BorgmanBorgman Blend as drip coffee with a slightly coarser grind and a lower dose. In all cases, it is important to grind fresh just before brewing so the rich aroma is preserved at its best.

Shortly after its founding in 2013, the BorgmanBorgman Blend made a name for itself in the coffee world. In the AD Koffietest of 2014, this blend was awarded 6th place in the national rankings — an impressive feat for a relatively new roastery. The coffee also receives high marks from customers: Borgman & Borgman consistently scores around 4.5 out of 5 stars in reviews.^nd The shop is a beloved destination for coffee lovers and is known in Leiden as one of the best spots for specialty coffee. The blend itself is praised for its balance of flavors; connoisseurs appreciate the intense yet smooth taste and the craftsmanship evident in every roast. Moreover, Borgman & Borgman is the only coffee roastery in the city included in various coffee and travel guides such as must-visit address. This blend thus contributes to the reputation of Borgman & Borgman as a leading specialty coffee bar in the region.

The BorgmanBorgman Blend is sold in handy 250-gram bags, priced at around €9.50 per bag. The beans come in a sturdy kraft paper coffee bag with a one-way valve that preserves the aromas and freshness after roasting. A clear label stands out on the front; the house blend is recognizable by a bright orange label that immediately catches the eye on the shelf. The packaging design is otherwise minimalist and functional, fitting the artisanal look of the roastery. The simply designed bag (optionally with a resealable strip) underscores that it is all about the coffee itself. After roasting, the beans are put straight into these aroma-tight bags so enthusiasts can enjoy coffee at home that is as fresh as possible. Sustainability has also been considered: a paper exterior and solid construction make the bag suitable for recycling once the coffee is finished.

The BorgmanBorgman Blend is primarily available through Borgman & Borgman itself. The beans can be purchased at the coffee bar on Nieuwe Rijn 41 in Leiden, where the blend is served and sold fresh daily. There is also the option to order online via the roastery’s website. Orders above a certain amount are delivered free of charge, for example delivery in the Leiden area is free from €15 and throughout the Netherlands from €35. The price for a 250-gram bag is around €9.50, which comes to roughly €38 per kilo, making the blend competitively priced for specialty coffee of this quality. Outside their own shop distribution is limited, it is an artisanal product that is not found in regular supermarkets. However, Borgman & Borgman supplies their coffee to a few hospitality venues in Leiden, so the blend can be enjoyed at a handful of other spots in the city as well. For most customers, though, purchasing is done directly from the roastery, either in the shop or via the webshop, to benefit from the freshness and expertise that come with this local coffee blend.