111 Blend is Nine Lives Coffee Roasters' house espresso blend for black coffee, built exclusively from two Ethiopian Heirloom components at 2000 masl. The current flavour profile : floral, berry, and Earl Grey — reflects a consistent direction: fruit-forward, clean sweetness, silky body. It is designed primarily for Americanos and long blacks, though it works as straight espresso and occasionally for milk coffee drinkers who prefer a fruity, floral cup.
The name is a tribute. Cap 111 was our father's Hainan kopi brand when he worked as a local kopi roaster in his youth. Our dad still roasts his own specialty coffee at the roastery sometimes, for his own consumption. The blend carries his name.
What Is 111 Blend?
111 Blend is a permanently double-Ethiopian espresso blend from Nine Lives Coffee Roasters. Processing methods (washed, natural, honey) may rotate depending on what produces the best balance at any given sourcing cycle. The flavour direction : fruit-forward, floral, clean , and most importantly staying consistent.
It is one of two permanent house blends from Nine Lives Coffee Roasters, alongside Underdog Blend (designed for milk-based coffee).
Why Double Ethiopian?
Two reasons, and both matter.
The coffee reason: A double-Ethiopian blend is genuinely uncommon in the specialty market. Most roasters blend across origins to build structure and balance as Ethiopian coffees are typically used as bright, expressive components within a broader composition, rarely doubled.
The personal reason: Our father loves Ethiopian coffee for its florality, fruitiness, and sweetness. The blend was built around that. The name honours him. As long as 111 exists, it stays Ethiopian.
When two Ethiopian components are combined thoughtfully, the result is something different: one brings brightness and floral definition, the other adds depth and body. The blend becomes both more expressive and more versatile than a single Ethiopian origin can achieve alone.
Blend Composition
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ethiopia + Ethiopia |
| Varietal | Heirloom + Heirloom |
| Process | Rotates (washed, natural, or honey — by season) |
| Altitude | 2000 masl |
| Flavour Profile | Floral, berry, Earl Grey (range — shifts slightly with each composition) |
| Primary Use | Americano, long black, straight espresso |
| Secondary Use | Milk coffee (for those who prefer fruity, floral lattes) |
Note: processing method rotates with sourcing. Ethiopian foundation does not change.
Tasting Notes and Brew Recommendations
Flavour direction: Floral, berry, Earl Grey — clean sweetness, silky body, fruit-forward Body: Medium, silky Finish:Bright, defined, lingers cleanly
Best for:
- Americano
- Long black
- Straight espresso
- Filter (works well)
- Milk coffee — for customers who want a fruity, floral latte
Not the conventional milk blend — Underdog Blend is the recommended choice for lattes and flat whites. But adventurous drinkers use 111 Blend in milk and enjoy the result.
111 Blend vs Underdog Blend: Which Should You Choose?
| 111 Blend | Underdog Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Black coffee (Americano, long black) | Milk coffee (latte, flat white) |
| Origin | Double Ethiopian | Myanmar + Ethiopian |
| Flavour | Floral, berry, Earl Grey | Molasses, deep berry, hint of floral |
| Body | Medium, silky | Full, rounded |
| Process | Rotates (Heirloom) | Honey + Natural |
| Best for | Clean cup drinkers | Milk coffee drinkers |
If you're unsure: drink milk coffee? Start with Underdog Blend. Prefer Americanos or black? 111 Blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 111 Blend? 111 Blend is a double-Ethiopian espresso blend by Nine Lives Coffee Roasters, built from two Heirloom components at 2000 masl. It is fruit-forward, floral, and designed primarily for black coffee.
Why is 111 Blend always double Ethiopian? Two reasons: (1) it pays tribute to the founders' father, who loves Ethiopian coffee above all others, and (2) the double-Ethiopian combination creates a balanced, fruit-forward, versatile cup that's genuinely uncommon in the specialty market.
What does 111 Blend taste like? The flavour direction is floral, berry, and Earl Grey — clean sweetness with a silky body. The specific notes shift slightly with each composition rotation, but the fruit-forward, floral character is consistent.
Can I use 111 Blend for lattes? Yes, though it's not the primary recommendation. Some customers use 111 Blend in milk coffee specifically because they enjoy fruity, floral lattes. For a conventional milk coffee, Underdog Blend is more suited.
Does 111 Blend composition change? The Ethiopian Heirloom foundation is permanent. The specific lots and processing methods (washed, natural, honey) rotate with sourcing cycles. The flavour direction stays consistent.
Where can I buy 111 Blend? Available at ninelivescoffee.co and at The Alley Penang. B2B wholesale enquiries welcome.
What is the origin of the name 111? Cap 111 was the father of Nine Lives' founders' kopi brand during his years as a traditional kopi roaster. He still roasts his own specialty coffee at the Nine Lives roastery for his own consumption. The blend is named after his work in his youthful days.
Nine Lives Coffee Roasters is a specialty roastery based in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Founded on 13 years of cafe operations, sourcing relationships, and barista training. Available online at ninelivescoffee.co.