February « 2010 « The Cup

February 1, 2010

12/8 – A10 – Kenya Gitchathaini – SELECTION

Filed under: African, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Ecco Caffe, Spro SELECTION — Jay @ 1:04 pm

Kenya Gitchathaini –
Origin: Nyeri District, Inaini Area, Kenya
Producer: Gikonda Cooperative
Farm: various
Varieties: SL-28 & SL-34
Elevation: 1600-1900 meters
Harvest: 2009
Process: natural
Roaster: Ecco Caffe
Roast Date: December 1, 2009
Cup Date: 12/9/09

Catadors: Jeremy (8), Ilenia (7), Joy (6), Devlin (7), Kimmy (7), Rebecca (6.5), Stephanie (6), Lindsay (3)
Average Score: 6.36

Fragrance/Aroma/Break/Brightness/Flavor/Body/Aftertaste:
Dentyne melon citrus gum, a bit artificial saccharine, brussels sprouts, fruity, puffed corn, tomato, lemon, lime, carrots, tomatoes, cocoa, vanilla, light but rich, caramel – dulce de leche, milk chocolate, sweet, grapefruit (x2), lemon, tomato soup, chocolate cake, nuts, pecans, caramel, strawberry, sweet potatoes – like woah, sugar, tangy-ish (x2), muted brightness, high, bright, fairly dull, blood sausage, mild fennel sweetness, walnut, sweet grapefruit, apricot, trail mix, lemon meringue pie, tomato juice, V8, bitter, sour wash rag, savory yet sweet, walnut peelings, light body, medium body (x4), medium smooth body, thin body, smooth bold, melon rind, tangy, long, tart, roasty?, bright, citrus, acidic, no thank you I don’t want to eat my vegetables, dirt, bitter, cucumber.

Likes:
Very interesting scents and flavors. The flavor was not as acidic, it was sort of enjoyable. 0 – I mean solid for what it is, I just don’t like it. The fragrance. Smells good, general good taste.

Dislikes:
Not much. I don’t wanna drink V8, I wanna drink coffee dammit! I would have preferred a stronger vanilla taste based on the smell.

Descriptions:
This coffee begins with melon and citrus fragrances. The muted tanginess of its’ brightness and smooth medium body provide wonderful textures. A fennel sweetness, and melon rind tartiness make for the delightful flavors this cup provides.

Delicious grapefruit and dried apricot with pleasing acidity. A little roasty in the finish that also reminds me of roasted lamb with sweet chutney.

Fragrances of red fruit and puffed corn, lemon and grapefruit lead into deep strawberry and caramel. A taste with all the elements of a trail mix and an aftertaste that increases in brightness as it cools.

This cup is dessert in a mug. The fragrance is tangy with notes of lemon and lime and is sure to wink at you. The flavor is a cornucopia of lemon meringue pie, marshmallows, lime-flavored drinks and citrus fruit. This cup will perk you up with its’ tangy flavor. Kudos.

Carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and nearly every other non-green vegetables come to mind when drinking this cup of coffee. Probably best paired with a savory meal.

A sweet, strong fragrance of cocoa & vanilla fades to a lighter scent of chocolate cake with the aroma. The taste disappoints slightly with a bitter, bold body and an aftertaste of old dirt.

The delicate smell of caramel and the aroma of nuts is indicative of the nature of this coffee. With a mellow body but a sweet and savory flavor of walnut skin, it has lasting potential.

Jay’s Notes:
Another coffee that will debut for the opening of Spro Hampden, the Gitchathaini is an interesting coffee that delivered sweet citrus aromas with fruity and savory flavor tones.

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12/8 – A12 – Amaro Gayo – SELECTION

Filed under: African, Barefoot Coffee, Cupping & Tasting Notes — Jay @ 1:03 pm

Amaro Gayo – certified organic
Origin: Arba Minch, Sidama, Ethiopia
Producer: Asnakech Thomas
Farm: Amaro Gayo Cooperative
Varieties: Ethiopica
Elevation: 1800 meters
Harvest: October 2008 – February 2009
Process: Sun Dried Natural
Roaster: Barefoot Coffee Roasters – Santa Clara, CA
Roast Date: December 1, 2009
Cup Date: 12/9/2009

Catadors: Ilenia (9.5), Kimmy (8.5), Stephanie (9), Lindsay (10), Rebecca (10), Jeremy (10), Devlin (9)
Average Score: 9.43

Fragrances:
Blueberry muffins, milk, berry kix cereal, strawberry milk, blueberry & cream, jolly rancher, crisp, sweet grass, amazing apples, blueberry tart, banana frosting, blueberry pop tarts with frosting, yum!

Aromas:
Blueberry waffles, pear, pineapple, mango, cocoa, strawberry, blueberry, bubblegum, pens, pencils, ink, scratch & sniff sticker of berries, blueberry oatmeal

Break:
Chick peas, smoked ginger, banana bread, blueberry, lemon, toasted sugar, *Frakking Fantastic!*

Brightness:
Semi, medium (x2), kinda dull, a ‘lil musky

Flavor:
Blueberry cakes, donuts, fruit scented erasers, blueberry oatmeal, blueberry (x2), orange, cocoa, fruity, banana nut pancakes with syrup, blueberries and also savory sauteed mushrooms & sea salt

Body:
Medium (x4), light (x2)

Aftertaste:
Blueberries and powdered sugar, crazy fruits, wheat cereal, berry, french toast, soul satisfying

Likes:
All. This cup was delicious, not too sweet and pleasant. Disappointing, but still the most distinct and memorable of the group. BREAKFAST – it made me want bacon. I wanna marry this coffee.

Dislikes:
None. Not an extremely diverse flavor palette. Wasn’t sparkling and glorious… like I wanted it to be. That, one day, we will run out of it.

Descriptions:
This delicious cup encompasses blueberry muffins, cake donuts, and fruity hints encompass this delightful medium-bodied cup. Powdered sugar and ripe blueberries on the aftertaste seal the deal. Very memorable and tasty.

This coffee has such a crazy, simple and clear voice that it seems fake. The taste of milk left from a fruit cereal is there from the beginning to end. A primary color.

Bash my face in with a berry bat!! Peach, pineapple, mango juice running down my face. I look like a fool – it’s not blood, it’s strawberry syrup! More like princess Diana than “the Queen.”

This cup is full of blueberries from start to finish. Cocoa and earthy tastes of chick peas float throughout. A light drink yet medium in brightness and body. Delightful!

The amazing apple-y jolly rancher, crisp sweet grass fragrance of this coffee is a bit personally disappointing. The medium-body is full of sweet berry flavors, specifically blueberry, a bit dampened by the lack of brightness, it is still a distinct and memorable cup.

This coffee is definitely the prettiest girl in the class. This coffee has the whole package. This coffee is THE best coffee. It’s a cornucopia of blueberry tarts, icing, banana bread, french toast and syrup. This will impress all your friends and even those who destroy their coffee with tons of cream and sugar might say “you know what, I’m gonna drink it black today.”

Before you even have your first sip, you know you’ve found an extraordinary coffee. Scents of toasted sugar, blueberry & lemon lead you into this surprisingly savory coffee. In addition to the fruity flavors, toasted flou, salt & butter are also detectable in this cup. A unique & surprising coffee that is sure to please every palate.

Jay’s Notes:
As one catador noted: “I wanna marry this coffee”, one can only surmise that they liked this coffee – and indeed they would be right. An explosion of berries, fruit and even hints of savory items await the adventurous drinker.

Yet while this coffee ended up as the top-ranked coffee of the three-day cupping session, even the most favored coffee has its’ detractors, as one catador found the Amaro Gayo disappointing.

As you might guess, the Amaro Gayo will be featured as on of our opening coffees for project hampden in January 2010, and will be offered in its’ “default” Clever brew.

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12/5 – N – Finca El Injerto Pacamara – SELECTION

Filed under: Central American, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Spro SELECTION, Stumptown Coffee — Jay @ 1:01 pm

Finca El Injerto – Pacamara Varietal
Origin: La Libertad de Huehuetanango, Guatemala
Producer: Arturo Aguirre
Farm: Finca El Injerto
Varieties: Pacamara
Elevation: 1500-1900 meters
Harvest: 2009
Process: Washed
Roaster: Stumptown Coffee Roasters – NYC
Roast Date: December 1, 2009

Catadors: Jeremy (8.5), Ilenia (6), Joy (1), Devlin (8), Jenny (7), Kimmy (4.5), Rebecca (8.5), Stephanie (8)
Average Score: 6.44

Fragrance/Aroma/Break/Brightness/Flavor/Body/Aftertaste:
paper, armpit, scallions, french onion soup, vanilla extract, chicken stock, citrus, body odor, bean stew, basil, vegetables, fruit rind, smokey, beaked yams, ginger, italian style wedding soup, tofu, fig syrup, carrots, sour berries, cooked green beans, french onion soup, celery, apricot, mild, medium to high, bright, sharp, very bright, sparky, small, string beans, broth, toffee, the sweeter part of a burnt chocolate chip cookie, chicken noodle soup with stars, tobacco, tang, smooth, full, medium body, thin, medium light, light, thick, creamy, light, heavy, light, bland, bitter milky texture, lemony, slightly chalky, dry and acidic, bitey.

Likes: unique & yummy, the smells and flavors, ambivalent about flavor but interesting, nice aftertaste, textures.
Dislikes: fragrances, thin body, smell, body, no real aftertaste, more like a baked veggie casserole than coffee

Comments:

This cup is a nice balance of smokey and earthy tones. It has a yam/carrot flavor and fragrance.

It’s cold outside but warm in here. Aromas of grapefruit and apricot have comfort food flavors. A medium acidity with high notes of roasted veggies and delicious gravy.

This cup of coffee is hearty in all of your senses and sure to keep you warm in the winter season. The fragrance of this bean will open your nostrils to a kitchen with the best homemade ingredients such as garden basil, savory bean stew and vegetable such as celery.

This coffee smells horrible. For that, no one would drink it. But it’s not all that bad. I suppose it’s like the sweeter sugared part of a cooled, burnt chocolate chip cookies, with a light bodied flavor and chalky aftertaste.

A very savory coffee. Soup stock and citrus are found in the grounds while a rich figgy sweetness follows in aroma. Almost salty this coffee gives off striking tones of carrot and onion, a thick and creamy body.

Light and bright, this coffee blends the warm sweetness of vanilla and toffee with the tartness of lemon. the smooth, delicate texture delights but does not overwhelm.

This is a mildly weird cup. It begins with strange aromas of scallions, french onion soup, and, well, unwashed armpits, but is in no means offensive or distracting from the positive aspects of this particular coffee. The unusual scents lend to the interesting elements of the flavors, at once sparkly, citrusy, and semi-sweet, like caramelized onions in a warm broth. the heavy body also has positive, warming effects, which give it a milky texture and sweetened aftertaste.

This bland varietal is great for those who enjoy the fragrance of chocolate and paper. Be warned, this coffee has a bland lingering taste. A full body, this coffee is reminiscent of a string bean broth. Don’t go near this coffee if you want flavor.

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12/5 – P – Finca Mauritania – SELECTION

Filed under: Central American, Counter Culture, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Spro SELECTION — Jay @ 1:00 pm

Finca Mauritania – Certified Organic
Origin: Santa Ana, El Salvador
Producer: Aida Batlle
Farm: Finca Mauritania
Varieties: 100% Bourbon
Elevation: 1400-1600 meters
Harvest: Jan-Mar 2009
Process: unknown
Roaster: Counter Culture Coffee – Durham, NC
Roast Date: December 1, 2009
Cup Date: 12/5/09

Catadors: Jeremy (7), Ilenia (7), Joy (6), Devlin (7.5), Jenny (8), Kimmy (7), Rebecca (9), Stephanie (6)
Average Score: 7.19

Fragrance/Aroma/Break/Brightness/Flavor/Body/Aftertaste:
smashed plantain, yellow-spotted banana peel, berry, damp forest, earth, bark, raspberry, dark choco, cherry hazelnut loaf, sugary deep berry tea, french vanilla candle, lemon, lavender, cherry, mulled cider, toasted almonds, choco and raspberries, vanilla perfume, licorice, raisin bread, smokey sweet rice vinegar, caramelized sweetness, lipstick, high brightness, tangy sweet, very bright, a bit sparky, bright, smoked, slightly acidic, medium, squash, burnt toast, dry, lemon chicken with cilantro, caramel honey apples, cinnamon and lemon, black tea, bitter tones, strawberry, maple, oatmeal, light body, creamy, thin, medium, light, full & rich, medium, mild, ashy, dry, garden herbs, tangy citrus, roasted, grapefruit rind

Likes: high acidity and aroma, nice taste/aftertaste, all, the flavor – it was like a meal, particularly smell, its complex flavor, not gross
Dislikes: not exciting at all, overwhelming roasted/toasted taste, lipstick, kinda unexceeding, as it cools the flavors taste mushroomy

Comments:

A refreshing bean with subtle notes of maple and oatmeal topped with tart strawberries.

Light sweet fragrances hint at a very different coffee than what is revealed. Scents of lemon and lavender, toasted nuts and milk choco are present, upon break flavors of black tea with bitter tones that increase as the coffee cools.

This coffee has it all – hints of french vanilla, choco and raspberries with a touch of cinnamon and lemon. the light body doesn’t suffocate these flavors, but enhances their drinkability.

This cup begins with fragrances of cherries and hazelnuts with aromatic traces of vanilla and sugars. Its sparkly brightness pairs well with its heavier caramel flavors. The medium body is unimposing, making the effectual drink float nicely in the mouth, yielding for a sweetened aftertaste that will not be quickly forgotten.

This light cup of coffee is a treat to your tastebuds and nose. the smells of this bean are like an old general candy store with wooden floors that creak . the flavor is sweet and savory; notes of lemon, cilantro and fresh garden herbs. this cup of coffee is for those who love simple yet charming tastes.

A full and rich cup of coffee, this varietal settles on the tongue a little dry. the fragrance takes you to a damp forest with hints of damp evergreen and rich earth. the flavor comes up short and leaves dry notes on the tongue.

This coffee is not very exciting. I find no distinctive flavors and it’s quite bland. It isn’t disgusting, but it isn’t delicious. This coffee is the middle road.

This coffee smells great, with the fragrance of a ripening banana and the aroma of rice vinegar with its’ sweetness and acidity. This lends true to taste as well, with the complex flavoring of a buttered and burnt piece of toast. I wish the flavor was a bit more rounded somehow with a more pleasant aftertaste but I still appreciate its’ delicate and subtle qualities.

A full and rich cup of coffee, this varietal settles on the tongue a little dry. The fragrance takes you to a damp forest with hints of a damp evergreen and rich earth. The flavor comes up short and leaves dry notes on the tongue.

This light cup of coffee is a treat to your taste buds and nose. The smells of this bean are like an old general candy store with wooden floors that creak but smell of homemade raspberry dark chocolate and several different licorice candies. The flavor is sweet and savory, notes of lemon, cilantro and fresh garden herbs. This cup of coffee is for those who love a simple yet charming taste.

This cup begins with the fragrances of cherries and hazelnuts with aromatic traces of vanilla and sugars. Its’ sparkly brightness pairs well with its’ heavier caramel flavors. The medium body is unimposing, making the drink float nicely in the mouth, yielding for an effectual sweetened aftertaste that will not be quickly forgotten.

Jay’s Notes:
Aida Batlle has been producing some truly wonderful coffees for some time now and our crew has been cluing into her efforts and starting to notice her work on the blind cupping table. From the stellar Grand Reserve to this Mauritania, the cup flavors are pleasing with tastes of fruit, vanilla, citrus and even the spicy qualities of cinnamon – or to my tongue: Mexican canela.

I’m also happy to note that this Finca Mauritania will be one of the opening coffees for Spro Hampden.

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12/5 – U – Santuario Bourbon – SELECTION

Filed under: Cupping & Tasting Notes, Intelligentsia, South American, Spro SELECTION — Jay @ 12:59 pm

Santuario Bourbon – certified organic
Origin: Cauca, Colombia
Producer: Camilo Merizalde
Farm: Finca Santuario
Varieties: Bourbon
Elevation: 1900 – 2200 meters
Harvest: 2009
Process: Washed
Roaster: Intelligentsia Coffee – Chicago, IL
Roast Date: December 1, 2009
Cup Date: 10/30/2009

Catadors: Jenny (7), Devlin (8.5), Rebecca (6.5), Stephanie (6), Kimmy (9.5), Jeremy (8), Ilenia (7), Joy (7)
Average Score: 7.44

Fragrances:
Cinnamon toast crunch, sweet butterscotch, cherries, nuts, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, sweet, dry fruit, dulce de leche, earthy greens, stalk, strawberry ice cream, fruit cake, pickled fruit, jelly preserve

Aromas,
Spearmint, sour apple, bittersweet chocolate, bleh, nutty sweetness, steamed milk, toasted nuts, milky toffee, string bean,

Break:
Unplaceable, fresh green vegetables, unroasted peanuts, perfume, overcooked muffin

Brightness:
Very bright, high, light, smooth, very tangy, present but not loud, high acid

Flavor:
Lemon, cantaloupe, honeydew, bitter, overextracted, walnut, dry apricot, pistachio, trail mix, tangy, tangerine, orange crackers, fruit, berry, peas, apples, nutmeg, rounded, sweet lemon, butterscotch, toffee, caramel sugar, lemon tea leaves

Body:
Medium (x2), light, smooth, medium – full, heavy, full

Aftertaste:
Caramel, acidic, bitey, tart, fruit pulp, buttery caramels, roasted sugars, astringent

Likes:
Aftertaste, brightness. The cherries, nuts, the flavor, smooth body. The fragrance was great, flavor wasn’t bad. Lingering flavors, taste, body. General flavors & fragrances. Lemon.

Dislikes:
None (x2). It didn’t impress me much. Nothing. It lost the magic as it cooled, generally not outstanding. Lemon, string bean.

Descriptions:
An interesting cup that mixes cinnamon and spearmint along with cantaloupe and citrus for a bright, smooth cup,

A pleasing coffee with something for everyone. Medium body, an elevated level of acidity with strong traditional flavors of walnut, raising and pistachio makes it a perfect coffee anytime of the day, anywhere on the face of the planet.

This coffee is great for everyday. This cup is balanced all around in fragrance and flavor. The fragrance is a familiar scent of nuts, sugar and cherries, with soft overtones of bittersweet chocolate. The flavor is an unusual and delightfully surprising tangerine with a smooth, tart aftertaste.

This coffee was a decent cup. I would enjoy drinking it on regular basis, however, it was not something spectacular.

A great smell of dulce de leche seduces you to the complex characteristics of this cup. The nutty aroma is the perfect compliment to the smooth brightness and soft, subtle flavors of peas, lightly fruity with a medium body and an aftertaste of fruit pulp.

An interesting coffee that finishes mildly, like heavenly pillow. Fragrance of earthy sweetness, like uncooked rhubarb lead to the aroma of steamed milk and toasted nuts. Tangy brightness and hints of lemon and butterscotch finish.

This coffee is generally tasty with aromas of toffee and strawberry ice cream. Its’ heavy body works well with the rich flavors of caramel sugar and subdued brightness. Roasted sugars and buttery tones create a delectable aftertaste.

This very lemony-citrus blend of lemon tea and pickled fruit. Fragrance of jelly or preserves with a high acidity, this would be a great morning coffee.

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12/4 – C – Amaro Gayo – SELECTION

Filed under: African, Barefoot Coffee, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Spro SELECTION — Jay @ 12:58 pm

Catadors: Ilenia (10), Kimmy (8), Stephanie (8), Lindsay (7), Rebecca (10), Jeremy (9), Val (8), Jenny (8)
Average Score: 8.44

Fragrances:
Blueberry pop tarts, papery, perfume, floral, like a “sweet cedar”, crisp apples, blueberry, compost, fruity pebbles, orange, orangey (awesome), pumpkin bread, vanilla icing, carrot cake, clarity, bright clear berry sweetness, strawberries & cream oatmeal, bagels, lipstick, fruity, berries, citrus

Aromas:
Warm blueberry pop tarts, smokey, smoked, berry, tar, warm pie, blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, honey, hot figs, bagels, cherry cough drops,

Break:
Fireplace fire with sweet wood, market greens?, tangy, citrus, grapefruit

Brightness:
Semi bright, there is a presence, soft bitterness, very fruity, bright, bouncy!, bright, fresh, lemony, very bright

Flavor:
Sweet (x2), fruity, a bit bitter, grapes, reminds me of persimmons in contrast, blueberry, tar, dry pear, just like fruity pebbles!, blueberry pancakes with chocolate chips, berry, fruit candy, almost sour, caramel

Body:
Medium (x3), light (x4), but not watery, light-medium

Aftertaste:
Heavy sweetened fruits, blueberries, candy-like, cardboard, very sweet, almost not like coffee, like I just had grape juice, canadian maple syrup, NICE, caramel

Likes:
Crisp, interesting, unusual. Greatly flavorful, like a strange, sweet fruit. Sweet, clear blueberry smell and taste, contrast with tar. Yum! I “heart” fruity sweet coffees! The smells, the taste was almost like a meal – the Guinness of coffee. Flavor, aroma, clarity. The fact that this coffee is very definitive – no need to search for the right description, very fruity and, in my opinion, very enjoyable. Fruity and tangy.

Dislikes:
Nothing much. It’s sweetness might not be a good everyday. Too sweet for all the time. Almost too much of that… but y’know.. not quite a fault, really. None! Can’t see this with milk. Light flavor. Not bold enough for me – too much like tea.

Descriptions:
This coffee is unusual and delicious. Certainly a cup to brag about. It begins with strong blueberry and citrusy aromas and semi-bright, sweet and fruity flavors. The coffee lingers on the tongue in a syrupy dance of super-sweet fruits all throughout.

A floral, sweet smell with a slightly smokey aroma will be sure to surprise. The fruity flavor and brightness is reminiscent of a hearty persimmon with its’ sweetness yet touch of bitterness. The candy-like aftertaste is a smooth finish.

A wonderful balance of blueberry and the aftertaste of tar. This is a sweet and full cup of coffee. Great to start your morning or pair with a dessert. This coffee will bring a smile to your face.

Sweet & delicious, this fun coffee is sure to brighten your day. Orange, cranberry, peaches, raspberry & strawberries are just a few of the wonderful notes your will find in your first sip of this wonderful cup!

This decadent cup of coffee is breakfast in a mug. The sweet and memorable smells of pumpkin bread, vanilla icing and carrot cake will delight all the haris in your nostrils. The taste is just as pleasant with blueberry pancakes and chocolate chips, with an aftertaste of canadian maple syrup. This will always cheer you up.

Bright, clear berry tones through and through. Light body, but not too light. No intense aftertaste.

This coffee is light and enjoyable. Certainly perfect for breakfast, as it reminds you of fruity oatmeal, or a bagel shop. The flavor continues as expected from the fragrance – doesn’t disappoint.

An unusual blend of coffee that features tart hints of berry and citrus. It has a tangy taste surrounded by caramel, leaving a light-bodied taste that lasts.

Jay’s Notes:
Every once in a while, a stand out coffee comes across the table that’s just memorable. This Amaro Gayo was one of those coffees and joined our initial two-day cupping session because we happened to have a bag on-hand. Note: the bag that was intended for this cupping was still en route and would be included on the 12/9/09 cupping.

After two days of cupping, the Amaro Gayo ranked second to the older roasted Wondo Worka (11/11/09).

Personally speaking, I tend to favor Ethiopian natural sun-dried coffees. I enjoy the deep berry character and can drink that all week long. My very first time drinking a heavy blueberry Ethiopian was back in September 2003 when Des Rock (owner of Useless Bay Coffee in Washington) and I went down to the Stumptown Coffee at 3rd and Ash in Portland, Oregon.

We were in Portland for the annual NASCORE conference and were attending an espresso workshop together. After class one day, Des suggested we do a little cafe visit and went straight to Stumptown. At three in the afternoon, the store was jamming. It was amazing, but I had enough of espresso for the day and noticed they had the Ethiopian Harrar made with press pots. I ordered one.

By now, I had heard of the fabled Ethiopian Harrar and how the blueberry character can be very pronounced, but I was a Doubting Thomas – how could a coffee taste like blueberries without a syrup? Absurd.

That year’s harvest was an exemplary one for Harrar and the moment the coffee touched my lips it was a literal explosion of blueberry. It was an amazing moment and a transcendental one in my coffee career.

In fact, that trip was the event that changed my coffee career entirely. It was the trip where I learned the basics of espresso, tasted truly amazing Harrar, had the macchiato God Shot made for me by Kyle Larson and met John Sanders, the man who would become a close friend, mentor and our coffee roaster.

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10/30 – 3 – Aida’s Grand Reserve – SELECTION

Filed under: Central American, Counter Culture, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Spro SELECTION — Jay @ 12:57 pm

Aida’s Grand Reserve – certified organic
Origin: Santa Ana, El Salvador
Producer: Aida Batlle
Farm: Fincas Mauritania, Las Alpes & Kilimanjaro
Varieties: 100% peaberry Bourbon
Elevation: 1400 – 1600 meters
Harvest: January – March 2009
Process: Washed
Roaster: Counter Culture Coffee – Durham, NC
Roast Date: October 28, 2009
Cup Date: 10/30/2009

Catadors: Nikki, Ilenia, Lindsay, Jeremy, Lamarie, Kimmy, Jenny, Rebecca, Stephanie

Fragrances:
Heath bar, caramel?, sour chocolate?, orange, apples, cheesecake, papaya, tropical, berry, fruity, grape rollup, chocolate, sugary – like sugarcane, citrus, ginger, grapes, vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, sweet, pleasant,

Aromas:
Perfume, candy – werthers?, syrup, cinnamon buns, browned pizza dough, fruity (x2), Ikea food court, cinnabuns and logan berries, heavy with earthy grape, apples, cinnamon, muted, light, cherry, sweet (x2), nutmeg, smooth, cozy, happy

Break:
Sugary dried cranberries, much the same but with fruity notes being way strong, trail mix,

Brightness:
Acidic, bright (x2), so so bright, dull, low acid (x2), tangy, strong but even toned positive notes, bright, very bright (x2), sour

Flavor:
Citrus (x2), grapefruit, nut, sweet (x2), watery, acorn, bitter nuts, pumpkin spice, allspice, fruits like raisins, fruity (x2), if fruit soda was a coffee, edibles, lime juice, sweet (x2), peppery, sour, tart, flowery, trail mix, citrusy, tangy, rolling

Body:
Medium (x2), not heavy, coats tongue, filmy, lighter than expected, light (x4), juicy (x2), herbal tea, full, average – not too thick or thin, refreshing

Aftertaste:
Nuts, good, sesame?, nutty, burnt, raisin bread, grainy, cereal-like, transparent, even, good, apple cider, lightly carbonated apple cider, sour, trail mix, mild, sweet, loving, grandma’s house

Descriptions:
A coffee truly made for the sweet tooth, with a fragrance of peaches, tropical dried fruits and, surprisingly, notes of caramel and white chocolate. This coffee coats the palette with bright and juicy body with intense mixed berry flavors.

A strong presence of berries throughout, beginning with a rich, grape aroma and strong even tones.

Group Description:
This unique & complex cup of coffee has an abundance of fragrances including grape, vanilla & cinnamon. The aroma is a pleasant, sweet smell with hints of nutmeg. After tasting this delicious and fruity cup of coffee you will be left with a cornucopia of flavors lingering on your palate wanting more.

Jay’s Notes:
Sometimes a coffee makes such an impression that you never forget it. For me, it was the 2003 crop of Ethiopia Harrar that Stumptown Coffee was serving that year and perhaps for our baristas it will be the 2009 Aida’s Grand Reserve.

Chock full of fruits and complexity, it literally has been months since we cupped this coffee and its’ flavor has been ringing through ever since. At many of our group cuppings, someone has referred to our tasting of this coffee as a sort of hallmark moment of which to compare all coffees. Does the coffee we’re tasting today give as lasting an impression as the Grand Reserve? That’s a tough reputation to match for any coffee.

Much has been written about Aida Batlle’s tremendous work producing tasty coffees and this years’ AGR is testament to that work. Bold and impressive, I put this same coffee on the cupping table a week later and it still came out the clear winner, with some of our baristas pinpointing the coffee and identifying it by name – it’s that remarkable.

The sad thing about this coffee is that it’s almost gone and we will be purchasing from Counter Culture’s final roast of the Aida’s Grand Reserve on January 18, 2010. Once the coffee arrives, we’ll have it until we run out and then that will be that. When it’s gone, the only thing left to do will be to pray to the coffee gods that the 2010 crop will be equal (or better) and bide your time until next fall…

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