Thyme
Thyme is the note of aromatic herbs and sunshine.
Think of sprigs picked from dry-stone walls, tiny leaves rubbed between your fingers, a green, warm, slightly resinous scent.
When it shows up in the cup it adds a subtle herbal note that brings depth and makes the profile more complex, like a spice that ties fruit and sweetness together.
You'll find it in darker Geshas and carbonic macerations, often next to cocoa, grape and red berries.
In sensory terms, thyme stands for contrast: a savoury, green note that makes everything else stand out.
Recognising thyme means recognising the aromatic side of coffee – the one that reminds you of the kitchen and the earth.
In the grammar of taste, it's the word that gives character: used sparingly, but decisive.