Christmas in July

Taste is built over time

By the time July rolls around, I’m already thinking about Christmas. While most people are focused on summer routines, I’m pulling samples, roasting small test batches, and trying to get a sense of what Tannenbaum and Ebenezer might become for the year. It’s quiet work — nothing flashy, just slow, steady tasting and note‑taking — and it always reminds me that good flavor takes time. So do the moments we share it in.

Once the coffees are chosen, the real shaping begins. These blends don’t come together in a single roast day. They build gradually, through trial batches and adjustments. I’m looking for flavors that feel right for the season: sweetness that settles in, warmth without heaviness, and a sense of familiarity that makes the cup feel grounding. Holiday coffee should feel like something you can hand to someone you care about.

Both blends use a mix of pre‑roast and post‑roast blending, not as a technical flourish but because it lets each component do what it does best. Some coffees roast well together from the start — their densities and moisture levels line up, and they create a clean, steady foundation. Others need their own roast to shine, whether that’s a lighter profile for aromatics or a deeper one for body. Blending afterward lets me bring those pieces together in a way that feels balanced and intentional, the same way a good conversation finds its rhythm.

Tannenbaum usually lands with a brighter, fruit‑forward lift. Ebenezer leans smoother and rounder. Each one finds its shape over time, and by early fall they’re ready.

We released them in the second week of October this year. They’re already available, and it’s been good to see them out in the world again — brewed in morning routines, shared with friends, or tucked into gift boxes. Coffee has a way of creating small moments that matter, and holiday blends seem to make those moments a little easier to find.

Holiday blends are a tradition I look forward to. As the season slows down, these coffees seem to invite people to do the same — to pause a little, reflect, and share something warm with the people around them. That’s a big part of why I enjoy developing them. A good cup of coffee has a way of opening space for conversation, renewing old connections, and strengthening the relationships that matter. If Tannenbaum or Ebenezer can play even a small role in that, then the work that started back in July was worth it.