At a Glance
The name might raise a smile, but the coffee is serious. Groove Is In The Heart is a two-origin blend from 200 Degrees — Brazil and Guatemala — that sits a step up from their entry-level Brazilian Love Affair. It’s brighter, more complex, and brings a story worth telling: the Guatemalan component comes exclusively from female farmers in Huehuetenango, one of the country’s most celebrated growing regions.
At 100% arabica and medium roast, this is positioned as a specialty-grade everyday coffee that can handle any brew method without becoming a project.
The Blend
Two origins, two processing methods. The Brazilian component is from Fazenda Pantano in Cerrado Mineiro — the same estate that appears in the Brazilian Love Affair — and is naturally processed, contributing sweetness, body, and the milk chocolate baseline. The Guatemalan coffee from Huehuetenango is washed, which brings clarity, brightness, and the citrus quality that lifts the blend above a straightforward chocolate-forward profile.
The female-farmed sourcing from Guatemala is worth noting. Huehuetenango produces some of Central America’s most structured coffees; the high altitude and cool temperatures in the region develop complex acids that, when washed processed, give a clean fruit character. That’s the sweet citrus note in the cup.
Aroma
Fresh-ground, the blend is immediately appealing: there’s a light citrus brightness on top, with milk chocolate settling underneath, and a warm nuttiness — roasted almond — that rounds things out. It’s more dynamic than the Brazilian Love Affair aroma, the Guatemalan component pulling the profile slightly brighter and more aromatic.
As Espresso
The sweet citrus note is most pronounced as espresso. Pull at 1:2 in around 28 seconds and you get a shot with genuine vibrancy — the chocolate is present but the citrus brightness comes through early, then settles into the almond finish. It’s not a sharp or acidic espresso; the natural-processed Brazilian provides enough body and sweetness to keep the citrus grounded.
As a straight shot it’s more interesting than the Brazilian Love Affair. The added complexity rewards attention. Under milk the citrus pulls back and the chocolate and almond come forward — still excellent as a flat white, but this one is worth trying black.
As Filter
This is where the Guatemalan character shines. Brewed in a V60 at 93°C, the sweet citrus comes forward cleanly, backed by a mild chocolate sweetness and a satisfying almond finish. There’s more going on here than the house blend in filter — more brightness, more fruit, more reason to linger over the cup. Body is medium and the finish is clean.
Cafetière brewing softens the citrus and emphasises the chocolate and almond. Still very pleasant; slightly less interesting than pour-over.
The Sourcing Story
The Guatemalan beans being produced exclusively by female farmers isn’t just a marketing note — female-led coffee cooperatives in Huehuetenango have been linked to consistent improvements in processing quality and traceability. When women control more of the income from coffee, reinvestment into the farm and the community tends to follow. It’s a sourcing choice that means something.
Value
At £12.15 for 250g (£4.86/100g), Groove Is In The Heart is priced slightly above the Brazilian Love Affair. The price reflects the Guatemalan component, which carries a premium as a high-altitude, female-farmed, washed coffee from a sought-after region. A 1kg bag at £40.20 (£4.02/100g) is better value for regular drinkers.
It’s not cheap, but it’s honest pricing for a coffee with genuine sourcing credentials and specialty-grade quality.
Who It’s Best For
- Espresso drinkers ready to step beyond a pure chocolate-and-caramel profile
- Filter enthusiasts who want brightness without sacrificing approachability
- Anyone interested in ethically sourced coffee with a traceable story
- 200 Degrees regulars looking to explore beyond the house blend
Verdict
Groove Is In The Heart is a genuinely accomplished blend. The Brazil-Guatemala pairing is well-balanced, the female-farmed Guatemalan sourcing adds both quality and conscience, and the sweet citrus note gives it a character that stands apart from most UK house blends. It’s the kind of coffee that rewards both the casual drinker and the curious one.
Rating: 4.2/5
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Groove Is In The Heart different from the Brazilian Love Affair? The key difference is the Guatemalan component. Where the Brazilian Love Affair is a three-origin blend built for pure crowd-pleasing smoothness, Groove Is In The Heart brings a brighter, fruitier character from the washed Guatemalan beans. It’s more complex and slightly more expensive.
Is it suitable for filter coffee? Yes — it works particularly well as a V60 or filter, where the Guatemalan citrus character can express itself cleanly. It’s also good as espresso and cafetière.
What is the female-farmed sourcing all about? The Guatemalan beans come from female farmers in Huehuetenango. Supporting female-led cooperatives is associated with better quality control, greater traceability, and broader community benefit in coffee-growing regions.
Where can I buy 200 Degrees Groove Is In The Heart? Direct from the 200 Degrees website with UK delivery. It’s not always available in their café locations — check the website for current stock.