The Cup

March 25, 2010

Kunda Kawa, Direct Trade

Filed under: African, Direct Trade, Ecco Caffe — Devlin @ 1:11 pm

Origin: Rwanda
Producer:Abaryoshakawa Co-op
Farm: Abaryoshakawa
Varieties: Bourbon, Harar
Elevation: 1600-1900 MASL
Harvest: May-June 2009
Process: Not Available 
Roaster: Ecco Caffe
Roast Date: 3/16/2010
Cup Date: 3/24/2010

Catadores: Devlin, Lindsay

Average Score: 7

Fragrance: Milk chocolate, powder sugar, clams

Aroma: Lavender, sea air

Break: Prunes, roasted peanuts

Brightness: Medium/High

Flavors: Prunes, Raisins

Body: Heavy, almost like a light syrup

Aftertaste: Dry red wine, tires

Likes: that it tastes just like a prune

Descriptions: Undeniable pleasant prune flavor. This coffee has a heavy body that feels a like a light simple syrup with nice aromatics. Not necessarily a coffee for every moment but a great cup to illustrate diversity in coffee origins.

Organic Serra Do Bone

Filed under: Cupping & Tasting Notes, Ecco Caffe, South American — Devlin @ 12:41 pm

Origin: Brazil
Producer: Carlos Sergio Sanglard
Farm: Fazenda Serra Do Bone
Varieties:  Catuai
Elevation: 1275 meters
Harvest:: not available
Process: not available
Roaster: Ecco Caffe
Roast Date: 3/16/2010
Cup Date: 3/23/2010

Catadores: Devlin

Average score: 7.5

Fragrance:

Rolo candy, sawdust, milk chocolate

Aroma:

buttered toast, lumber yard(sweet wood), blackberry jam

Break:

 

Brightness:

Low acidity

Flavor:

Almond croissant, full sweetness, slight woodiness, a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

Body:

great heavy mouthfeel

Aftertaste:

long. The acidity starts peaking out at the end.

Descriptions:

Like a little afghan on your tongue. A cozy heavy body  primes you for flavors that bring peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwich on fresh baked bread.

March 13, 2010

Michicha, Natural Sundried, Sidama

Filed under: African, Counter Culture, Cupping & Tasting Notes — Devlin @ 1:37 pm

Michicha –
Origin: Ethiopia (Sidamo)
Producer: None specified
Farm: None specified
Varieties:  Sidama Heirloom
Elevation: 1750-1800 meters
Harvest:: Nov-Jan 2008/2009
Process: Natural Sundried
Roaster: Counter Culture
Roast Date: 3/10/2010
Cup Date: 3/13/2010

Fragrance:

Medicinal, sweet berries, blackberry,nutty,hits of fruit,sweet strwaberry jam, pepper,flowers, blackberry, rasberry, black currant, earth, soap, vanilla bean,fruity banana peel?

Aroma:

bitter sweet chocolate, light smokey, sweet floral,sugary, sweet, lemony, melted black berry jam like when you bake it, soap, acidic, bright, nutty, roast,

Break:

sweet preserved fruits, strawberries, grilled onion,flower, cucumber

Brightness:

low range, kinda muddled,med/low,subtle but present,

Flavors:

Cranberries, sweet fruit, nice finish, full body with hints of caramel, citrusy,dirty, rich, tomato, ketchup,sweet, tar, honey, dark berries, grapefruit when cool, juicy acidity, chestnut, prefect blend of exotic fruit and chocolate, sweet, pistachios, like a skin or shell

Body:

medium,light (x2)

Aftertaste:

nice, tobacco, smoke/ grain, clean, not to long, belgian ales, chaslky, gingerly,

Likes:

All the flavors!

Dislikes:

Discriptions:

“great ethiopian flavor of bitter sweet berries and a hint of caramel. When ground it has a very pungent medicinal aroma. very full bodied and complex goes through many diffrent flavor changes on the paliete.”

“the Michicha Sidama from Ethiopia is a complex coffee that is sweet but holds a low end intensity/density that seperates it from many fruity tea like coffees. smells of lemon strawberry and pepper define a ketchupy sweet flavor and medium body.”

“Slightly floral + heavy on dark berries, this full bodied coffee is sure to please. Also brings notes of tobacco, grains and honey.”

“A great cup to eligantly illistrate Ethiopian coffees. While not overly fruity as most Ethiopian coffee there is a harmonious balance of exotic fruit ( mango, papaya, lime) with milk chocolate. A good “cup of Joe” with a little more dynamic than most.”

“The fragrance is fruity, in a soft way like a banana peel. The aroma is a bit acidic and nutty. The brightness is subtle but present and the flavor seems soft, unpretentious, like a skin, shell shavings. the aftertaste is chalky, a bit grainy. Seems reliable overall.”

Kiriyama, Burundi

Filed under: African, Counter Culture, Cupping & Tasting Notes — Devlin @ 1:04 pm

Kiriyama, Burundi

Origin: Burundi
Producer: None specified
Farm: None specified
Varieties: None specified
Elevation: None specified
Harvest: None specified
Process: None specified
Roaster: Counter Culture
Roast Date: 3/10/2010
Cup Date: 3/13/2010

Catadors: Jeremy, Kimmy, Jess, Lindsay, Jay, Devlin

Average score: 8.5 out of 10

Fragance:

Grain, well done beef, floral perfume, tea cakes, brerady, salty, roasted cashew/walnuts, sorta sweet, semi floral, bread dough, bitter cranberry,vanilla, tea like,

Aroma:

raisins, salty, banana leaf, mouse, spearmint gumdrops, indian spices, caramel (x2), salty,floral, blunt sweetness,

Break:

almond, toasted marshmellow, bitter sweet chocolate, walnuts, caramel

Brightness:

Bouncy on my tounge,med/low,very little, mild,mild,

Flavor:

cane sugar, muted citrus (limes mostly), honeysuckle, Rasberry, molasses, licorice!, lemon/cranberry scones, Dr. Pepper, plum tea, smokey, chalky, caramel, doughnut, dark chocolate, sweet caramel, yellow cake-no icing, raisins, plum, sweet fruit, dates, raisin bread.

Body:

medium (x2), light, round, light but full

Aftertaste:

Yeasty like a baked good but a tang of bitterness, cinamon, molasses,

Likes:

Everything! (x2)

Dislikes:

Discriptions:

“This coffee has noted of cane sugar, lime, molasses, flowers, honeysuckle + blackberries, this memorable coffee surley to be a favortite!”

“With aromas and flavors that transverses all aromas + flavors this coffee is hard to pin down. Heavy licorice +fig with morning scones +plum tea. Round body + med acidity leaves a long finish that commands your attention.”

“The Kiryama, Burundi is a savory sweet cup that is suitable for almost any prefrance. Bready and nutty to begin, with an increasingly caramel like sweetness. A bit smokey but not to heavy body found out this coffee nicely.”

“This coffee has a nice aroma when ground of bread or dough. Also has hints od cranberry. the flavor of this coffee reminds me of yellow cake with no icing and bitter sweet chocolate. Very light hints of sweet caramel”

“This coffee is amazing. A vanilla, tea-like fragrance hints to the exsplosions of sweetness. the heavy raisin aroma shines through to taste. The brightness seemed mild, but the flavors impactfull. Much like a raisin-stuffed sweet bread it was subtle with hints of plum and sugar. the body is light but full and the aftertaste is yeasty- reminding me of a baked good finish.”

3/13 Tambul, Papua New Guinea

Filed under: Counter Culture, Pacific — Devlin @ 12:20 pm

Tambul, Papua New Guinea

Origin: Papua New Guinea

Producer: None specified

Farm: None specified

Varieties: None specified

Elevation: None specified

Harvest: None specified

Process: None specified

Roaster: Counter Culture

Roast Date: 3/10/2010

Cup Date: 3/13/2010

Catadors: Jeremy, Lindsay, Kimmy, Jess, Jay, Devlin

Average Score: 6.8 out of 10

Fragrance:

Roasted chicken skin, dark soy sauce, cupcakes,bran muffins, strawberry, washed out berry, yeasty, chocolate, sweet carmallized sugar, Walnuts, Very sweet. dark 80%           chocolate, corn, grains, sharp, hearty.

Aroma:

ginger snap cookies, carrots, toasted marshmellow, woodsy, rice, wheat, sweet black berries, corn, peas, vegetables, earthy, banana leaves, walnuts

Break:

Soup! (veggie, barley), caramel, roasted nuts

Brightness:

low, finda flat, meh, mellow

Flavors:

Milk Chocolate, Butter finger, lime, canned corn as it cooled, tree greens, black pepper, milk chocolate, Walnuts, fruit flavored bread, green beans w/ butter, earthy, sweet, thick veggie stew,…chocolate celery.

Body:

heavy,med, med/light,full,

Aftertaste:

“long, mellow, delicious, the smell of old books with to much foxing mold, acidic

Likes:

not an offensive coffee, complexity of taste

Dislikes:

a bit overwhelming/ rich, I’m really not a fan of veggital coffee’s

Discriptions:

“This PNG has a lot of star potential. Classic Pacific flavors. Low acidity, heavy body. Strong delicious flavors of mil;k chocolate + lime, as it cools distinct unpleasant flavor of canned corn”

“This kind of muddled tasting uniquey musty coffee has a stong presence of carrots w/ lighter more sublte notes of strawberry, barley, tomatoes+ a hint of sweetness.”

“Hazey  fragrances of berries, baking, and hiking snap into bright snappy tree greens and black pepper. Medium light body and a minimal aftertaste finish this cup.”

“This coffee has a very nice aroma when ground. It reminds me of summer and sweet chocolate. The flavor profile reminds me of a milk chocolate brownie with roasted walnuts. Enjoyed the diffrent flavor profiles of this coffee, not very complex.”

“The Rich dark, dark chocolate fragrance, with a grainy and hearty fragrance symposes this coffee well. The aroma is both nutty and earthy, particularly present with walnuts. The brightness is definitley mellow, with a heavy body and a thick complex flavor. A strange duality like chocolate dipped celery. the aftertaste is a bit acidic.”

March 8, 2010

2/15 – Rwanda, Akagera – 2

Filed under: African, Callao Coffee, Cupping & Tasting Notes — ilenia @ 2:24 pm

Rwanda, Akagera–
Origin: Rwanda
Producer: None specified
Farm: None specified
Varieties: None specified
Elevation: None specified
Harvest: None specified
Process: None specified
Roaster: Callao Coffee, Luray, VA.
Roast Date: None specified
Cup Date: 2/15/10

Catadors: Jeremy, Lindsay, Stephanie, Stephanie, Devlin, Jessica C., Rebecca, Ilenia

Average Score: None specified

Fragrance:

Hamburger, meatloaf, leaves, cigarette, semi-sweet chocolate, dark, mustard, bbq, almonds, burnt grease

Aroma:

Dry, little sweet like vermouth, orange blossom, steak, hickory shake, new car, fresh berries, potato rolls, laundry detergent, blowpops, candy-fruity

Break:

Grilled veggies, corn, hazelnut

Brightness:

High, fairly bright, medium (x2), not too acidic, bright, bright, dim

Flavor:

Smokey, ashy, dark and very meaty, any super dark meat, kinda greasy, like what i hear bear tastes like… duck maybe, tobacco, sweet, buttery, scotch, lacks a strong punch, hazelnut, sawdust, chocolate, sweet caramelized sugar, crisp blackberries, walnuts, caramelized papayas

Body:

Medium (x3), heavy (med), light, heavy, thick

Aftertaste:
Hot chocolate, grapefruit, very odd, citrus, smooth, light vanilla, crisp, toasted sugar

Likes:
Kinda like the citrusy aftertaste, starts nice and finishes nice, the flavors, flavor

Dislikes:
Totally tastes like a dead cow, (drawing of an unhappy face), aftertaste is kind of bitter, fragrance,

Descriptions:
Seasoned meat like an outdoor bbq, breaking into grilled vegetables, with the sweetness of corn. High key acidity with smokey earthy flavor follow. A medium body and a chocolate aftertaste.

Dark and meaty, this coffee wants to be taken very seriously. Light citrus notes lighten the mood.

You’re boring, coffee.

Another savory coffee, grilled steak aromas combine well with hazelnut flavors. The cup does not pack a punch though. There are also real sawdust flavors in…

Sweet and mellow. Starts very nice with a mild bitter aftertaste. Brings in notes of sweet chocolate and sugar.

This coffee is ok. The flavor was a pleasant surprise of crisp blackberries and walnuts. The body is light and the aromas are doughy and bready. It’s hard to write about boring coffees. Moving on.

This coffee begins with scents of fruity candy, and crisp clean laundry detergents. The dim brightness and thick, heavy body lend well to the rich flavors of caramelized papayas. Toasted sugar makes the pleasant aftertaste worth the drinking.

Jay’s Notes:

2/15 – Teka Burundi – 1

Filed under: African, Counter Culture, Cupping & Tasting Notes — ilenia @ 2:24 pm

Teka –
Origin: Burundi
Producer: None specified
Farm: None specified
Varieties: None specified
Elevation: None specified
Harvest: None specified
Process: None specified
Roaster: Counter Culture
Roast Date: None specified
Cup Date: 2/15/10

Catadors: Ilenia, Stephanie, Rebecca, Jeremy, Lindsay, Devlin, Jessica C.
Average Score: None specified

Fragrance:

Waffles, bark, deep earth, cocoa, cotton, dirt, relish, ketchup, white bread bun heated, flowers, apple cider, molasses, dirt, soil

Aroma:

Hot dogs on bun with ketchup, green tea, fire place, marzipan, toasted bread, wheat, sugar, fruitcake?, sweet fruit and nuts, a little spicy, grilled tangerine, sweet meaty

Break:

Tobacco, sweet raisins, blueberries, very strong like stale popcorn, cranberries

Brightness:

Dim, bright, high, a good bit, medium, not too acidic

Flavor:

Watery, dark, unidentifiable, pumpkin pie, toasted sugar, smokey, tangy, stale, burnt, tiny bit of blueberry, salty, green onion, tastes the way a fall season craft show smells, black currants, dry peanut, sweet, juicy, nutty walnuts

Body:

Heavy, medium (x5)

Aftertaste:

Chalky (x2), kinda nutty, bittersweet, stale, cinnamon, pleasant, melon

Likes:
Aroma, body, tobacco scent, flavor, the aromas, i love marzipan, tastes incredibly seasonal; not growing season, nice beginning flavor

Dislikes:
Aftertaste feel, aftertaste texture, the aftertaste was stale, Christmas time seasonal, mild bitter aftertaste

Descriptions:
This coffee’s aromas and fragrances indicate a rich, heavy cup; bark, deeply earthy, and bready scents permeate. Not too bright, yet heavy, flavors of pumpkin pie and toasted sugar flow well in the mouth. A nutty aftertaste seals the last sip.

This coffee exudes a smokey, earthy flavor hinting tobacco, cotton and cocoa scents. The flavor is smokey throughout and slightly tangy. It leaves a chalky, bittersweet flavor.

This medium bodied cup is for the everyday coffee drinker who would like to spice up their boring everyday life. The aromas are delicious notes of marzipan and fresh toasted bread. The flavor is not overbearing – this coffee has a hint of blueberry and will leave you ready to strut your walk down the avenue, for everyday pleasures of Hampden.

Though it could be the smell of boiling oil in the air, this coffee had the distinct smell of a white bread bun out of a fast food oven. A wheaty aroma with a bit more sweetness followed; then a sour brightness with a flavor of green onions and salt. A medium light body of a faint aftertaste to finish.

Strong notes of cinnamon and light notes of fruit and nut. This coffee tastes the way autumn potpurri smells. Warm and comforting with a medium body, this smooth coffee is great for everyday consumption.

A pleasant midday cup. Sweet, juicy, acidity reminds me of currants and mince pie. This coffee’s body helps prevent the acidity from going crazy; long tasty finish.

Starts very nice. Sort of acidic with strong aftertaste. Reminds me of Granny Smith apples and cranberries. Also has a mild, nutty flavor.

Jay’s Notes:

2/15 – Ngozi – 3

Filed under: African, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Direct Trade, Intelligentsia — ilenia @ 2:23 pm

Ngozi –Direct Trade

Origin: Burundi, Ikirezi
Producer: Murambi, Rugabo
Farm: None specified
Varieties: Bourbon, Typica
Elevation: 1500-1700 meters
Harvest: None specified
Process: None specified
Roaster: Intelligentsia Roasters
Roast Date: None specified
Cup Date: 2/15/10

Catadors: Rebecca, Ilenia, Jeremy, Lindsay, Devlin, Jessica C.

Average Score: None specified

Fragrance:

Black pepper, mustard, savory spices, creamy, thick, bready, berries, onion, salt, melon, cocoa, sweet, fruity, like a bag of candy, a little floral, teriyaki, hot dogs

Aroma:

Chocolate milk with raspberry cream, chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, taffy, vanilla (x2), fall, earth, honeydew, cinnamon, sweet, shoes, pungent, kind of citrusy

Break:

Chocolate liqueur, wheat grass

Brightness:

Dark, emergent, high, medium (x2), kinda dull.. but a lot of flavor for so little “pop”, very acidic

Flavor:

Blueberries with Canadian syrup, carrot puree, kinda sweet (x2), heavy, stringent sweetness, orange,  bitter, sour, fruity, light graininess bit, black tea, broccoli, buttered popcorn, citrusy, lime, dark chocolate, has a bite

Body:

Full, medium heavy, medium (x3), light medium, thin

Aftertaste:
Dull but not unpleasant, cooked root veggies, heavy on tongue, lemon, light spice, tangy, short, chocolate

Likes:
Everything!, scents, brightness, blend of flavors worked well together, sweet + tangy -most of the things I like in coffee,  dark – has an enjoyable aftertaste in the mouth

Dislikes:
Flavors were a little surprising, unique flavor could have been bolder, liked most of all of it… no strong dislikes, bitter bite throughout entire experience

Descriptions:
If this coffee was a student, it would get an A+. The aroma is a potpourri of sweet notes such as milk chocolate candy bar with raspberry cream but also savory spices such as black pepper and mustard. The flavor is an explosive taste of blueberries with Canadian Maple syrup. The aftertaste is dull, but it’s not unpleasant and leaves you with a warm, full tummy.

The exquisite fragrances of this coffee are creamy, ripened berries, and chocolate cheesecakes. The break provided a syrupy odor of chocolate liqueur. Surprisingly, this coffee has an emergent brightness and a medium body which doesn’t seem to match well with the filling aromas. Despite the mismatch, the flavors and aftertaste of sweetened carrots and other root vegetables were pleasant.

Fragrances of onion power, turn to the sweetness of saltwater taffy and vanilla. High key brightness with heavy stringent sweetness. Medium body and lingering aftertaste.

This coffee starts with a classic fragrance of cocoa but blends with a unique scent of melon. You’ll find earthy tones throughout the aroma and citrus and spice flavors over a medium body and brightness.

Good. Solid fruity and yummy coffee… clearly of high quality but does not stand out from any of the other coffees we’ve cupped.

Super savory cup. Balanced with a fruity slight sweetness. Finish is short but pleasant with hints of milk chocolate; not one to remember though.

Very acidic. Reminds me of bittersweet chocolate. also reminds me of gin and tonic with lots of lime. Don’t like the heaviness of this coffee.

Jay’s Notes:

2/15 – Rusenyi – 4

Filed under: African, Cupping & Tasting Notes, Intelligentsia — ilenia @ 2:19 pm

Rusenyi –
Origin: Rwanda
Producer: None specified
Farm: None specified
Varieties: None specified
Elevation: None specified
Harvest: None specified
Process: None specified
Roaster: Intelligentsia Roasters
Roast Date: None specified
Cup Date: 2/15/10

Catadors: Rebecca, Ilenia, Jeremy, Stephanie, Lindsay, Devlin, Jessica C.

Average Score: None specified

Fragrance:

Raisins, pickled onions, bittersweet corn, chocolate bitters, buttery, eggy, pepper, carrot, bread, raw beef and chocolate, cantaloupe, Folger’s, fresh vegetables

Aroma:

Almonds, apricot, red meat, Fig Newton, polenta, sweetened – honeyed cornbread, honey, cinnamon, maple, whiskey, cornbread, vanilla, sweet chocolate, waffles, fresh baked bread

Break:

Banana bread, nuts, fruit roll ups, peas, carrots, sharp

Brightness:

Light, semi-bright, at times prickly, middle acidity, bright, a lot of zing, high, sort of acidic

Flavor:

Crisp, yogurt with raspberry granola, cilantro’s sweet side, green asparagus, orange, black tea, cold root beer sammich, dates, ginger, lemon tea, raspberry, muddy, chocolate covered raisins

Body:

Light (x2), medium to heavy, medium (x3)

Aftertaste:
Refreshing, nutty, light (x2), spicy, bitey, bready and chocolatey, long, tart towards the end

Likes:
Everything!, brightness, flavor, aroma, chocolatey! grey area: bready, reminds me of lemon meringue pie

Dislikes:
Nothing!, nothing really, how different the scent was from the flavor, meaty in a weird way, bitter aftertaste

Descriptions:
This coffee is confused. It’s delicious, but it’s confused like a middle school goth kid who listens to Korn. Its fragrance is sweet of raisins and pickled onions. The aroma is almonds, apricot, Fig Newton but also… red meat. The flavor is a surprise of crisp yogurt with raspberry granola and a refreshing aftertaste. Don’t knock it ’til you try it – you might like it.

This coffee starts with fragrances and aromas of honeyed cornbread, polenta, and chocolate bitters. Semi-bright, at times prickly, its medium to heavy body blends well with mild flavors of cilantro’s sweeter side. Nutty, its aftertaste leaves a decent imprint.

Buttery and eggy. Almost butter-like fragrance, lend to rich, sweet tones like maple and honey. Medium acidity with flavors of greens and asparagus, medium body and light aftertaste.

The sweet but yeasty scent and pea aroma at the break flows well with an orange and black tea flavor.

A fairly complex coffee, this cup has meaty notes and a bready aftertaste. Quite interesting and generally tasty, this coffee is best slowly consumed and carefully considered.

The standout cup on the table. While i feel it has a really identifiable intelligent taste. Bright acidity with dates, ginger and lemon tea. Long, pleasing finish with acidity throughout.

Has a strong acidic body. Brings out flavors of lemon. Has a bad flavor and rich long and pleasant aftertaste.

Jay’s Notes:

2/15 – Bolivia – 5

Filed under: Bluebird, Cupping & Tasting Notes, South American — ilenia @ 2:18 pm

Bolivia–
Origin: Bolivia
Producer: None specified
Farm: None specified
Varieties: None specified
Elevation: None specified
Harvest: None specified
Process: None specified
Roaster: Bluebird Roasters
Roast Date: None specified
Cup Date: 2/15/10

Catadors: Lindsay, Devlin, Rebecca, Jeremy, Ilenia, Jessica C.

Average Score: None specified

Fragrance:

Charcoal, hot pavement, barley, tomato, cannoli beans, toast, soy sauce, sesame seed, cayenne pepper, soy sauce, strong, floral, woodsy, jasmine, chocolate

Aroma:

Burnt plastic, toasted fruitcake with blueberry jam, cocoa, sweet, nutty, chocolate smells, chalky, dry

Break:

Tomato stew, rye bread, peppery, chemicals, rubber, stuff in a foundry

Brightness:

Very dark, bright

Flavor:

Burnt (x3), stale, dry, nastiness, unpleasant, rubber, bitter, chemicals, roach spray, nice flavor and sweetness of chocolate, bitter

Body:

Medium (x2), melting, light

Aftertaste:
Ass, terrible, bitter

Likes:
Zero, the aroma and fragrance, nothing, none really, bitter flavor reminds me of lemon

Dislikes:
God fucking awful (x2), flavors, too tart/lemony citrusy

Descriptions:
“If you can’t say something nice..”

If you just settle for anything in life and enjoy being fooled, this coffee is for you. The fragrance was savory barley tomato stew with cannoli beans and toast. The aroma was sweet, toasted fruitcake with blueberry jam. The flavor – God awful! It was burnt and unpleasant. No words for it.

Interesting flavors of soy sauce, sesame and pepper. Cocoa and peppery break, but an extremely burnt harsh flavor. Very difficult to drink.

This coffee tastes a lot like roach spray, chemicals, rubber, and things found in a foundry. It smells sweet and nutty though. The  body is bright and light and the aftertaste bitter.

Smelled very floral. Comes together very tart. Doesn’t start or finish well. Bitter aftertaste. Too acidic, leaving the essence of lemon or lime added to the coffee.

Jay’s Notes:

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