oh right! this is a coffee blog...
This week (technically 8/19-8/28) in coffee:
8/19: Received 2 mystery central americans and 1 production roast Yirg from Peter (of Terroir). Here are my notes from (blind-)tasting the centrals:
A: From the smell of the beans and the taste of the coffee, it definitely reminded me of a Kenya. It was really acidic, but simultaneously sweet, and I think I also identified 'beef' for the first time ever. Maybe some faint vanilla or sasparilla thrown in the mix. I had a hard time dissecting the flavors in this one...
A: From the smell of the beans and the taste of the coffee, it definitely reminded me of a Kenya. It was really acidic, but simultaneously sweet, and I think I also identified 'beef' for the first time ever. Maybe some faint vanilla or sasparilla thrown in the mix. I had a hard time dissecting the flavors in this one...
B: Strawberries. And spinach/sencha tea.
So it turns out A was their new crop COE Honduras Mira Valle and B their 2004 Panama Jaramillo (<--as compelling a reason for green-freezing as any pf rant). The Panama is no longer for sale, but I cannot recommend the Honduras enough. If only those silly Actonites would stop dragging their heels and come out with the 2005 new crops already *cough* As for the Yirg, Peter seemed to think this batch was too mild, but I really enjoyed it. It was just really, uh, Yirg-y...clean lemon taste, delicate cane-sugar sweetness, etc. etc.
8/26: Last day of my internship!! Celebrated by meeting Steve at Intelly after work. I told him I would get there at 5, but arrived half an hour late because I got off at the wrong El station, starting walking in entirely the wrong direction, and then had to backtrack :o(. Sorry, Steve! Anyway, we talked there til around 6 about his plans to go to Seattle & Portland next month and other geeky things, and then I had to order my beans (1/2 lb Los Delirios) and run to catch the train. Ah yes, and he also kindly gave me a latte bowl to practice my art on. Pics of the bowl and my rudimentary art to come...
8/26 upon arriving home: I received a shipment of homeroast from Jon R! I've been playing with it this weekend, and . Since I'm more of a light/medium-bodied caramel-fruit-bomb (copyright Chris Tacy 2005) type, this heavy-bodied bittersweet nutty espresso (which I believe contains Yemen, Brazil, Malabar, Uganda) is taking quite a bit of getting used to as a straight shot. I do enjoy it a lot in short milk drinks, though, because its chocolatiness and sweetness cut through milk so well. When I made cappas for my parents, they both independently asked if I'd made them mochas.
Oh, and this new batch of Los Delirios? Not so good :o/...I think it was overroasted or something. The SOS's I've pulled of it can't compare with the ones I was getting last week, and it exhibited a distracting bitterness every time I french-pressed it.
*****
Oh, and I've finally decided on which classes to shop next semester:
-Math 122: Abstract Algebra - Group Theory and Vector Spaces
-Math 124: Number Theory
-Math 131: Topology
-Econ 1011a: Macroeconomic Thry (mv calc-based)
-Comparative Lit 151: the faust legend in literature
-Comparative Lit 164: the 20th century postrealist novel in east europe
-Philosophy 172: Modern Moral Philosophy
-Science B: you know
Right now, I'm thinking I'll probably end up with 122, 124, 1011a, 164, and maybe 91r.
8/26: Last day of my internship!! Celebrated by meeting Steve at Intelly after work. I told him I would get there at 5, but arrived half an hour late because I got off at the wrong El station, starting walking in entirely the wrong direction, and then had to backtrack :o(. Sorry, Steve! Anyway, we talked there til around 6 about his plans to go to Seattle & Portland next month and other geeky things, and then I had to order my beans (1/2 lb Los Delirios) and run to catch the train. Ah yes, and he also kindly gave me a latte bowl to practice my art on. Pics of the bowl and my rudimentary art to come...
8/26 upon arriving home: I received a shipment of homeroast from Jon R! I've been playing with it this weekend, and . Since I'm more of a light/medium-bodied caramel-fruit-bomb (copyright Chris Tacy 2005) type, this heavy-bodied bittersweet nutty espresso (which I believe contains Yemen, Brazil, Malabar, Uganda) is taking quite a bit of getting used to as a straight shot. I do enjoy it a lot in short milk drinks, though, because its chocolatiness and sweetness cut through milk so well. When I made cappas for my parents, they both independently asked if I'd made them mochas.
Oh, and this new batch of Los Delirios? Not so good :o/...I think it was overroasted or something. The SOS's I've pulled of it can't compare with the ones I was getting last week, and it exhibited a distracting bitterness every time I french-pressed it.
*****
Oh, and I've finally decided on which classes to shop next semester:
-Math 122: Abstract Algebra - Group Theory and Vector Spaces
-Math 124: Number Theory
-Math 131: Topology
-Econ 1011a: Macroeconomic Thry (mv calc-based)
-Comparative Lit 151: the faust legend in literature
-Comparative Lit 164: the 20th century postrealist novel in east europe
-Philosophy 172: Modern Moral Philosophy
-Science B: you know
Right now, I'm thinking I'll probably end up with 122, 124, 1011a, 164, and maybe 91r.
10 Comments:
I am finally move in to the new place!!! (well.. sort of). At least the Rituale is finally hooked up last night... you don't know how much it pains me to drink DD/SB for almost 2 weeks (yes, I went thru caffine withdrawal and it was not pretty). Anywho, finally able to pull some SOS of the Stumptown El Salvador Las Nubitas (that was about 2 weeks old already... sigh~~). It's so freaking amazing. The acidity was so sweet that I just want to keep swirl it in my mouth. Very smooth, not a hint of tannic at all. Have not identify all the flavors as my allergy is acting up again, but highly recommanded!
Also the bag of Los Delirios from Stumptown (also the same 2 week old date... sigh~~) shall be open to night. Let's see how it goes as SOS.
Hopefully by this weekend I will be plumbed in. Not sure about the drain though, as it needs way more work...
Aren't you moving in soon?
1:50 PM
You know me well. That "strawberries, and spinach" description of the Jaramillo is going to earn you a reevaluation of it, so you can reevaluate your description. (I think that sample roast was a little too light for even my taste :()
Ben, I like your how you're talking about tannic-like impressions in espresso. Tannic-like astringency is a focal-point that hasn't been explored much in light roasted espresso yet, but should be. How can the beans be crafted so that astringency will be low at even very light roasts?...
2:31 PM
Oh, and to be clear.
I'm criticizing my "spinach" roast of the Jaramillo and
not Irena's description of it.
I personally think she's skilled and spot-on accurate with her descriptions most of the time. ;I
-Peter
4:35 PM
Hey Irena,
It sure was nice to skip the gym and to meet you at Intelly. I am sorry to hear that Los Delirios was not as good as you had anticipated.
I look forward to see some nice rosetta from you...
Cheers,
2:43 PM
Ok, the Stumptown Los Delirios was VERY nice (might not be as nice since it's a bit old... had to order again), but man, that bag of Las Nubitas just keep on wowing me. Good stuff indeed.
Get my direct connect kit today. I will attempt to install it, along w/ the drip tray drain pipe and the water filtering system. It will be nice when it's all done =)
9:49 AM
Well, this is interesting. I did a blog search for barista training and found your site. When I get some time I'll come back and find out where barista training appears and how it relates - if it even does. Take care - nice work.
12:12 AM
I've just found your blog about speciality coffees whilst I was looking for more information to add to my blog about speciality coffees. You've got a great blog going here. It's always good to have more information about speciality coffees. I've just started my own blog about speciality coffees if you would like to take a look.
Keep up the good work.
10:14 PM
You must have fallen off the face of the earth, to not write about coffee for so long :(
6:05 PM
that last comment was me, btw :)
6:05 PM
Having some issues with blogger. The new blog's at (same).wordpress.com
2:47 AM
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