Coffee of the week (5)

It has been kind of crazy the last week and half, so this update is a long time in coming. Since the last review I have sampled a bunch of single origin coffees. This makes an interesting contrast to the previous dark roasted blends I was enjoying. Early last week I would have told you that I was hugely disappointed in the single origins compared to the blends – in contrast to the blends they seemed somewhat harsh, yes they did have crazy over the top complexity and a multitude of flavors, but they didn’t come across as well rounded or finish as smoothly. But what a difference a week makes. Here are the coffees.

Novo Coffee

• Lake Tawar Sumatra

Paradise Roasters

• Guatemala CoE #2 – San Jose

George Howell Terroir Coffee Co.

• Kangocho, Nyeri, Kenya
• El Descanso, Huila, Colombia
• Golden Mandheling, Sumatra, Indonesia

I can honestly say that I was disappointed in the Novo and the Paradise Roasters offerings. The Guatemalan tasted more like a Panamanian to me with its citrusy overtones – it certainly didn’t taste like any Guatemalan I have ever had; and the Sumatra, even though it had a syrupy earthiness it also had some other flavors that just jarred. It was almost as if the coffees were trying to do too much: too many flavours, too much complexity, and all wrapped up with an unpleasant finish. As a result, I just didn’t enjoy them – complexity is one thing, but coffee should be smooth. I adjusted my grind several times to try and find a sweet spot, one that would bring out the flavors and eliminate the aftertaste, but I just couldn’t do it. Their taste profiles were a stark contrast to the blends I was still enjoying at the same time (Peets’ Major Dickason and Starbucks’ Xmas blend); it made me appreciate the ‘lowly’ blends all that more, especially when all you want is a simple good cup of coffee.

After I finished the blends, the three SO from Terroir arrived. My first impression was also one of slight disappointment. I had high expectations for these coffees – again it had to do with smoothness, but they have grown on me over the last week and now I am loving them – complex, thick tastes but smoother than the Novo and Paradise Roasters. I would order these again.

One thing I have learned is that I no longer care for straight up Sumatra as a coffee. I used to love that earthy taste – not anymore.

I also just picked up another 1/2 lb of Starbucks’ Xmas blend, and I will reiterate that it is pretty decent – there is something to be said for a yummy dark blend for that first morning or after dinner cup.