Coffee of the week (2)

This week’s group of coffees are a little different from last week’s. Gone is the emphasis on so many big ‘heavy’ tasting coffees. This week we explore the middle ground. But before introducing the coffees, maybe a little on my methodology. I have a MACAP M4 stepped grinder. I grind fresh for each cup and drip straight into a preheated mug using a size 2 paper cone filter. I might upgrade to a Chemex at some point, but that just seems like one more link in the chain. So without further ado, this week’s coffees are:

49th Parallel Coffee Roasters:

• Costa Rica El Indio
• Indian Elkhill Estate Arabica Peaberry

Transcend Coffee:

• Guatemala Trapichitos

Novo Coffee

• Panama Dona Berta

All the coffees were tasty. The Panama Dona Berta was not as full bodied as last week’s Panamanians, but it was smooth with a more subdued citrus overtone. So for fans of a toned-down Panamanian this is a good choice. The Costa Rican beans were small like the Indian Elkhill Peaberry which was interesting. The Guatemalan was smooth and chocolately – it was a coffee that grew on me and benefited from a slightly finer grind, which really seemed to smooth it out and bring out the flavors.

I think it is safe to say that I am Panama’ed out, which might be unfair to the Dona Berta. The most interesting coffee was the Indian Elkhill Estate. It kind of surprised me as I maybe didn’t expect to like it as much as I did, but it was kind of finicky – sometimes it would brew a great knock your socks off cup and then other times not so great. So this week’s winner goes to Transcend’s Guatemala, which once I found the right grind setting, just kept on producing a very fine moderately bodied coffee. I will be buying more of this one for sure. Till next week.