No. 9 Optimism, our Tanzanian coffee, is bright, floral and tea-like, best brewed as a pour-over and drunk while it is still hot. No. 10 Folklore, our Peruvian coffee, is mild, round and forgiving, works well in a drip machine or French press, and holds its character longer as it cools. Choose Optimism for a lively cup you drink slowly and attentively, choose Folklore for an easy pot you can leave on the counter.
Where they come from
| No. 9 Optimism | No. 10 Folklore | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Mbeya, Tanzania | Piura and Amazonas, Peru |
| Altitude | 1,200 to 1,900 m | 1,100 to 1,700 m |
| Process | Fully washed, dried on raised beds | Fully washed, sun dried |
| Varietal | Bourbon, Kent | Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai, Pache, Catimor |
| Roast | Medium-light | Medium |
| Notes | Pear, floral, jasmine, strawberry | Salted caramel, citrus, silky |
Both go through a fully washed process, which tends to produce a cleaner cup than a natural process, but the two lots differ in varietal and drying method, dried on raised beds for Optimism, sun dried directly for Folklore, and that shows up as two fairly different cups despite the shared processing style.
The varietal mix is also worth noting. Optimism comes from Bourbon and Kent plants, a shorter list than Folklore's five, Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai, Pache and Catimor. A narrower varietal mix tends to give a more focused, single-note character, which lines up with Optimism's distinct floral and fruit profile, while a wider mix like Folklore's tends toward a rounder, blended cup where no one note dominates, which matches its description as mild and easygoing.
How they taste, cup by cup
Optimism leans toward pear, floral and jasmine notes with strawberry on the finish, a brighter and more acidic profile that reads closer to tea than to a heavier, chocolate-forward coffee. Folklore leans toward salted caramel and citrus with a silky texture, rounder and less acidic, the kind of cup described on its own label as one that does not fight back.
Best brew method for each
Optimism is labeled for pour-over or AeroPress, both of which keep the cup light and let the floral notes stay distinct. Folklore is labeled for drip or French press at 60 grams per liter, methods that suit its rounder body and lower acidity. Neither needs anything unusual, just the method that matches what each coffee is actually built to do.
What the roast levels mean here
Optimism is roasted medium-light, Folklore medium. As a general rule in roasting, a lighter roast preserves more of a coffee's original acidity and origin character, while a slightly darker roast rounds those edges off and builds more body. That general pattern lines up with what is on both labels here: Optimism's medium-light roast supports its brighter, more floral profile, and Folklore's medium roast supports its rounder, caramel-leaning one. Neither roast level is stated as better, they simply suit what each coffee is trying to do.
Our pick, if you have to choose one
No. 10 Folklore
Piura and Amazonas, Peru · 1,100 to 1,700 m · Fully washed, sun dried · Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai, Pache, Catimor · Medium roast
Mild and round, and it holds up in a normal drip machine, which makes it the steadier everyday pick between the two.
Can you brew them the same way to compare directly
Yes, if you want a side-by-side test rather than picking blind. Brew both as a pour-over at the same 60 grams per liter ratio, same water temperature, same grind, and taste them back to back. Optimism will read brighter and more floral even outside its preferred method, and Folklore will still taste rounder and milder even outside its preferred method, since those are properties of the coffee itself rather than just the brew method. Once you know which direction you lean, switch to the method each one is actually labeled for.
Who should buy which
If you like brighter, more acidic coffee and plan to drink it hot right after brewing, Optimism is the better fit. If you want a mellow, low-drama cup that is just as good a little later in the morning, Folklore is the safer bet. Neither is objectively better, they are built for a different kind of morning.
Price is not a factor in this decision. Both are $28 for a 12 oz bag, whole bean or ground, with free US shipping, the same as every coffee we sell, so the choice comes down entirely to taste and brew method rather than budget.
See both, and the other eight, on the coffee collection page. For brewing detail on each, read our guides to brewing No. 9 Optimism and to pour-over technique in general. The subscription works with either bag, 11 percent off, skip or cancel in one click.
Taste is not a ranking here. It is a question of which mornings you are brewing for.
Questions people ask
What is the main taste difference between Tanzanian and Peruvian coffee?
Based on our own two coffees, our Tanzanian No. 9 Optimism is bright, floral and tea-like with pear and jasmine notes, while our Peruvian No. 10 Folklore is milder and rounder, with salted caramel and citrus and less acidity. This is a comparison of these two specific coffees, not every coffee grown in either country.
Which one should I buy if I mostly drink coffee with milk?
No. 10 Folklore is the steadier choice with milk, since its salted caramel and silky texture round out well, while No. 9 Optimism's brighter floral notes are more distinct drunk black.
Do these two coffees need different brewing methods?
Not strictly, but they are suited differently. No. 9 Optimism is labeled for pour-over or AeroPress, methods that keep it light and bright. No. 10 Folklore is labeled for drip or French press at 60 grams per liter, methods that suit its rounder, lower-acid profile.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
One page with grams, level tablespoons and scoops for every cup size and for coffee makers from 2 to 14 cups. Leave your email and the download link appears right here.