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Orthodox
House Espresso Blend

Orthodox
House Espresso Blend

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Orthodox is ST. ALi's original house blend — the one that started it all in 2005 and hasn't stopped since. Perfectly balanced, endlessly versatile, and built to taste as good in a velvety flat white as it does in a long black. If you're after a coffee that shows up for you every single morning without asking anything complicated in return, this is it.

With notes of chocolate, caramel butterscotch and apple, Orthodox is the kind of cup that feels like home. Familiar, reliable, and endlessly satisfying.

STRENGTH

COUNTRY: 60% COLOMBIA, 40% BRAZIL

CULTIVAR: CATURRA, COLOMBIA, CASTILLO, RED BOURBON

PROCESS: WASHED & NATURAL

NOTES: APPLE JAM, FUDGE, CHOCOLATE

DOSE: 20-25G

YIELD: 46-52G

PROCESS: 26-32s

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THE BLEND

Bold, classic and unmistakably ST. ALi. Your go-to for rich espresso, silky flat whites and brews that hit just right. A crowd favourite from baristas to home setups.

TASTING NOTES

Chocolate · Caramel · Apple
Strength: ●●●●●○○

Orthodox sits right in the middle. Not too bright, not too dark, not too bold. The chocolate is soft and milk-forward, the caramel rounds everything out, and a whisper of red apple keeps it honest. It's the balance that makes it the most-loved blend in our range.

BEST SERVED

Espresso · Plunger · Stovetop

A flat white that sets the tone for everything that follows. Orthodox is made for the espresso machine, stovetop, plunger or even a Moccamaster. It doesn't pick favourites. Neither should you.

BREW GUIDE & RECIPE

Dose: 20–25g · Yield: 46–52g · Time: 26–32 seconds

Grind: Fine

Orthodox is forgiving, if your shot runs fast and tastes thin, grind finer. If it's slow and bitter, go coarser. Aim for a steady, honey-like pour from the 8 second mark. The balanced profile means small adjustments make a noticeable difference. Pull toward the longer end of the yield (52g) for a brighter, cleaner cup. Pull shorter (46g) for more body and sweetness.

Grind: Medium-fine

Fill the basket level and don't tamp, tamping a stovetop causes over-extraction and bitterness. Use filtered water if possible. Set to medium heat and listen, the moment you hear the coffee begin to bubble and sputter, remove it from the heat immediately. Letting it run too long makes it harsh. Orthodox on the stovetop is rich, sweet and deeply satisfying.

Grind: Coarse · Dose: 70g per litre · Water temp: 94°C (just off the boil)


Add coffee, pour water to half, give it a gentle stir and let it bloom for 30 seconds. Top up to full and place the lid on without pressing. Steep for 4 minutes total. Press slowly and steadily, don't rush it. Pour immediately so it doesn't over-steep. Orthodox in a plunger is full-bodied and chocolatey with a velvety finish.

Full cream, Skim, almond or oat milk. Orthodox is a natural with all, the balanced flavour profile means it adapts to milk without losing its character. Works equally well as a piccolo, flat white, latte.

SOURCING

60% Colombia (Cauca Region) · 40% Brazil

The Colombian component comes from the Cauca region, sourced in partnership with Sustainable Harvest and Caficauca — a cooperative helping farmers replace coca crops with specialty coffee. Sustainable Harvest is a certified B Corp with a genuine commitment to grower equity.

The Brazilian component is a blend of two distinct lots: an estate selection for red fruit complexity and a regional blend for depth and consistency. Both are sourced through long-term partners who share our commitment to specialty-grade coffee.

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