BunCoffee Haiti Zombie Desert Review – A Solid Roast from a Rare Origin
Haitian coffee isn’t often seen on Australian shelves—and certainly not in small-batch form. This limited harvest from Savane Zombie was roasted in Byron Bay by BunCoffee as part of their origin-focused range. With a dark appearance and a rich café-like aroma, it made an immediate impression. We brewed the entire bag—black and with milk—to see how it held up, what came through, and whether it was worth the splurge.
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Origin: |
Savane Zombie, South-East Haiti |
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Roast Level: |
Med/Dark (brand-stated) |
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Strength Rating: |
7/10 |
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Varietal: |
100% Arabica Typica |
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Tasting Notes: |
Roaster notes: sugar, caramel, nougat, nuts, spice, floral, fruity finish |
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Brew Methods Tested: |
Espresso (black), Espresso with milk + Equal |
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RRP: |
$22.00 AUD |
Appearance & Beans
The beans arrive dark with a slight oil sheen—visually suggesting a deeper roast. Espresso pulls nearly black with an even, stable crema. There’s a sense of polish here: uniform bean size and clean development.
Aroma
Dry, the grounds give off a warm roasted scent—like a familiar café grind. There’s a touch of funk in the background, subtle but noticeable. Nothing overly fruity or floral came through on first impression.
Taste – Black
Straight espresso offers strength without sharpness. The profile leans classic: bold, slightly bitter, and grounded. We didn’t detect the promised caramel or floral character—but there’s an honest roast clarity here that felt deliberate rather than dull.
Taste – With Milk and Equal
Flavour holds up well in milk, showing no sign of collapse. A mild cereal note comes forward—likely the malt the label references. The texture stays smooth, but overall complexity fades. Drinkable, but the cup quiets down.
Finish
A slight roast bitterness lingers after the sip. It fades cleanly, with no real sweetness or acidity at the tail. More of a punctuation mark than a lasting echo.
ATC Verdict: Is It Worth the Splurge?
This is a grounded, well-built coffee with structure and quiet confidence. It didn’t deliver the floral lift or fruity finish the roaster suggested—at least not in our espresso tests—but it stayed composed and true to its form.
It didn’t quite earn a place in our regular rotation—but we’re glad we tried it.
Strong enough for milk, but a touch more character showed through when taken black. One for the curious palate—not the sentimental shelf.
Editor’s Note
This review reflects our personal tasting experience using the DeLonghi Magnifica Start espresso machine at home. We brewed the coffee both black and with milk (plus Equal) across several sessions to observe how it behaved.
The product was purchased independently, and no part of this review was sponsored or gifted. As always, ATC reviews focus on what we actually tasted, how it felt to use—and whether it was worth the splurge.
–Adrian – Editor at All That Is Cool
