LYLAC is the APAX LAB profile to reach for when you want a coffee to feel more floral, aromatic and elegant. It can help highlight delicate aromatics, refine texture and extend the finish, particularly when a coffee feels dry, dense or aromatically restrained.
Think of it as a finishing touch, like enhancing a dish with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh herbs: something that helps delicate qualities feel more expressive without overpowering the coffee itself.
What does LYLAC do to coffee?
The profile brings out these qualities from your cup:
- Floral and delicate aromatics
- Elegance / refinement
- Silky texture
- Reduced perceived dryness
- A longer, cleaner finish
Signs that your coffee could benefit from the addition of LYLAC
- Your coffee lacks smoothness or roundness – If your cup feels a little sharp or incomplete, LYLAC can help support a smoother, more refined mouthfeel.
- The floral or citrus notes aren't intense enough – When those qualities are already present but not expressing as clearly as you'd like, a dash of LYLAC can help amplify these flavours.
- The finish of your coffee feels harsh or dry – LYLAC can help soften the aftertaste and support a cleaner, silkier finish.
However, like any ingredient, it's crucial to use LYLAC in moderation. Overuse can lead to undesirable effects.
What happens if you use too much LYLAC?
More LYLAC does not automatically mean more florality. At higher concentrations, the cup may begin to feel bitter, salty or unbalanced, and the delicate qualities you were trying to highlight can become harder to read.
- Excessive LYLAC can cause your coffee to become unpleasantly bitter.
- An overuse of LYLAC may introduce a saltiness that might overpower the natural flavours of the coffee.
We recommend starting conservatively and tasting the result first, before adjusting gradually.
What types of coffee are best suited for LYLAC?
LYLAC is a versatile mineral concentrate that is best suited for a variety of coffee types:
- Honey processed coffees: This unique method of processing coffee gives it a sweet, syrupy taste which LYLAC complements perfectly.
- Coffees originating from Ethiopia, Panama, and Central America: These regions are known for producing coffees with distinctive flavour profiles that pair excellently with LYLAC.
- Coffees with distinct floral notes: Varieties such as Geisha, Sidra, Chiroso, and Pink Bourbon are renowned for their strong floral notes. These make them a great match for LYLAC, which can enhance and balance these flavours.
Our general recommendation is to try it with any coffee where the goal is greater florality, elegance or a cleaner finish.
How to use LYLAC: Pre-Brew or Post-Brew
Pre-brew: Add LYLAC to your water when you want its floral, elegant sensory direction built into a repeatable water recipe. We recommend starting with 3-4g/L of mineral concentrate in your brew water.
Post-brew: Add 1-10 drops directly into your coffee (200ml standard cup). We recommend adding a small amount of LYLAC directly to the finished cup, stir, and taste before adding more if needed.
Find out more here:
Is LYLAC the right APAX LAB profile for your coffee?
While LYLAC helps with florality and elegance, other qualities of your coffee can be elevated with these APAX LAB profiles:
Want brightness and vibrancy? → TONIK
Want sweetness and depth? → JAMM
Want texture and harmony? → KONFLUX
LYLAC is a useful starting point when a coffee feels aromatically restrained, dry or heavier than you want — or when you simply want to push an already floral, elegant coffee further. Start with what you taste, decide whether the cup needs more aromatic expression, refinement or length, and adjust gradually.
