# Blend Coffee Lab.

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 6.6
- **BGG Rank**: #10320
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 15-30 min
- **Weight**: 2.33 / 5
- **Designers**: Saashi
- **Artists**: Takako Takarai
- **Publishers**: Saashi & Saashi
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Set Collection, Trick-taking

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love quick card games with a dash of strategy. The coffee theme is charming and the final scoring system is quite clever.Trick-taking with an original twistFast and dynamic gameplayEngaging and relaxing themeStrategic scoring systemInitial learning curve for trick-takingSome reliance on card draw luckRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever thought about becoming a master of coffee mixology? In Blend Coffee Lab, you step into the shoes of a dedicated researcher in a lab, striving to create the perfect bean blend. The goal is simple in theory but challenging in practice: you must balance four pillars of flavor — acidity, aroma, body, and sweetness — to assemble harmonious cups that would make any barista jealous.

The game utilizes trick-taking mechanics, but with an interesting twist. The lead player plays a card, and others must follow by playing colors that haven't appeared on the table yet, if possible. The key is that you don't just want to win the trick for the sake of it; you want to collect the specific cards needed to complete your sets. To assemble a cup of coffee, you need cards of four different colors, all sharing the same roast level (light, medium, or dark).

Strategy comes into play through hand management and keeping an eye on current trends. There are bonuses for completing the round's target roast or matching numbers across your cups. The game spans three rounds, but here's the crucial detail: you don't just sum everything up. At the end, you only keep your highest score for each roast type across the three rounds. This means you could have a mediocre performance in two rounds, but if you nailed the dark roast in one of them, that's the value that counts toward your final score.

It's a fast-paced game, with sessions lasting between 15 and 30 minutes, perfect for those who enjoy quick thinking, hand planning, and light yet competitive interaction. If you love card games with strategic layers and a cozy theme, Blend Coffee Lab is the shot of caffeine your gaming table needs.

## FAQ
### Is the game complex?
Not really! It has a moderate weight (2.33). If you're familiar with trick-taking games, you'll learn it in minutes. Otherwise, the logic is easy to grasp.

### How long does a game take?
It's very fast, usually between 15 and 30 minutes, making it a great filler between larger games.

### Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes, the game supports 2 to 4 players, maintaining its competitiveness even in a duo.

### Do I need coffee knowledge to play?
Not at all! The theme is just the wrapping; the rules are purely about card mechanics and colors.

### What is the main objective?
Collect cards of different colors of the same roast to complete cups and score more than your opponents.