Obscura Coffee Roasters

A coffee beans stand within a fashionable complex near Akihabara Manse-​hashi. The take-​out coffee ¥270 was, to my surprise, cooked ahead. I should have ordered hand-​dripped one. Anyway, I don’t actually believe that makes a big difference. The coffee, Mexico Santa Telesa, was just sour and not to my taste. I couldn’t drink it up. Although they claim almonds flavor, the liquid coffee didn’t smell like that. This is actually not rare and often happens for third wave roasters. Their customer enjoy beans’ different flavors and, so, do not care about the taste of the liquid coffee in general. The way to enjoy third wave shops is to smell whole beans, like for aromatherapy, in my opinion. To be precise, it remains possible, the beans smell like almonds. In any way, I don’t like their way of selling cooked coffee without explanations or showing beans at all.

Perfect. Understated, quiet, peaceful and the ideal setting to enjoy the unbelievable complexity of pour over coffee done right. There are a few small chairs to sit down, an ample choice of beans and a helpful barista happy to facilitate the selection.
I was in the mood for subtlety and chose the hand drip Mandheling and LHM did it hit the spot (btw I am normal, honest, it was just really really good). Amazingly detailed flavor and nothing like I’ve ever tasted before. Plus, with soft music and typical minimalist Japanese style interior design, the atmosphere didn’t distract from the coffee experience — an under appreciated prerequisite in a hectic world.
Do yourself a favor and visit Maach Ecute Kanda Manseibashi compex, which in itself is quite unique and intriguing. Then stop by at Obscura and have some of the best pour over coffee you’ve ever had.

A takeout only coffee stand within mAAch ecute complex.
On paper, Obscura coffee is the ideal third wave coffee outlet. They have their own roasting factory in Setagaya and café in Sangenjyaya. These guys are serious about coffee. However, I have never really enjoyed their coffee.
Is that a problem?
In my mind, I know I am supposed to enjoy it. After all, these are best beans from around the world, roasted to perfection. I normally enjoy dripped coffee more than espresso drinks, so I order their dripped coffee. Their coffee of the day is pre-​made and not dripped per order. Anyhow, I tried several of their beans, but I have yet to run into one I enjoy. In fact, I far more enjoy Clover Reserve coffee from Starbucks.
Is that a problem?
Perhaps I should try their espresso drink next. They have the Synesso Espresso Machine, which is suppose to be really expensive.
The only reason I keep going back to this place is because mAAch ecute complex is so cool. I really love sweets at Noake Tokyo next door, so this is the perfect place to pickup a cup to go. I do not know of any other high end coffee specialty shops in Akihabara or Kanda area, so this place is quite essential.