Tiki Tonga No.8 The Big Contender Review

Tiki Tonga Coffee Roasters were founded in 2016 in St Albans, Hertfordshire, by rugby player Brad Barritt, then captain of Saracens. The brand takes its name from the victory song that made its way to the UK from the South Pacific, and the spirit carries through: this is coffee designed to bring people together, backed by serious craft. They supply wholesale to cafés, businesses, and events, but their retail range is worth knowing about.

No.8 The Big Contender is their flagship espresso blend, and the name hints at what to expect: this is not a retiring, gentle coffee.

The Big Contender: Blend Background

The No.8 blend draws on Central and South American Arabica, roasted medium-dark to achieve a profile that’s bold and rich without tipping into bitter territory. The 227g bag format is slightly unusual (following the American convention of half-pound bags) but makes no difference to what’s inside.

Tiki Tonga’s sourcing philosophy centres on ethical partnerships and traceability, and the blend reflects that: clean, consistent, and genuinely well-crafted.

Aroma

Ground beans release a compelling mix of dark cherry, cocoa, and brown sugar. There’s something almost confectionery about it, rich and sweet-smelling. The roast has enough depth to avoid smelling thin, but there’s no char or smoke. A fair indication of what’s to come.

In the Cup: Espresso

Pulled as a double espresso at 93°C with approximately 27 seconds extraction:

• Dark cherry upfront, vivid and clearly defined
• Milk chocolate in the middle, round and satisfying
• Brown sugar sweetness on the finish, lingering pleasantly
• Body: full and coating
• Acidity: low, approachable
• Crema: thick reddish-brown, holds well

The extraction balance here is impressive for a supermarket-accessible specialty blend. There’s real fruit character without the sourness that underpulled espresso can produce, and the chocolate finish is long.

In the Cup: Cafetière

Brewed in a cafetière with four minutes steep, the No.8 opens up differently: the cherry becomes jammy and the chocolate recedes in favour of a more caramel note. Still excellent, though the espresso preparation shows the blend to better advantage.

Value

At £9.50 for 227g (£4.19/100g), the No.8 is competitive with other specialty espresso blends. The smaller bag size means you pay slightly more per 100g than with 250g competitors, but the quality justifies it.

Who It’s Best For

• Espresso drinkers who want fruit-forward character with chocolate depth
• Home baristas using domestic espresso machines
• Flat white and cappuccino drinkers who want flavour to carry through milk
• Anyone who wants to support a brand with a strong ethical sourcing story

Not for: those who prefer light, acidic single-origins, or drinkers who like very dark, smoky roasts.

Verdict

Tiki Tonga No.8 The Big Contender earns its name. The dark cherry and milk chocolate profile is genuinely impressive, the extraction behaves well on home machines, and the brand stands behind quality sourcing. One of the better specialty espresso blends available from a UK independent roaster.

Rating: 4.3/5

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Tiki Tonga Coffee roasted? Tiki Tonga Coffee is roasted in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The roastery supplies both retail customers and wholesale clients across the UK.

Is Tiki Tonga good for milk-based drinks? Yes. The No.8 Big Contender is specifically well-suited to flat whites, lattes, and cappuccinos. The bold cherry and chocolate notes carry through steamed milk without disappearing, which is exactly what you want in an espresso blend.

What is the Guinness 232 Coffee collaboration? Tiki Tonga partnered with Guinness to create a limited-edition coffee roasted at 232°C, the same temperature at which barley is roasted for Guinness stout. It’s a clever crossover that underlines the brand’s willingness to experiment with interesting collaborations.