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: November 23, 2009
Cup Date: 12/4/2009
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.