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Coffee Notes

I've tried so many coffee roasts in the past couple of years that I can no longer recall which flavors I like and which ones don't suit my preferences. This journal is my personal review. It's very subjective, since it's based almost entirely on personal taste.

  • Café Pilão (Brazil) August 2011: Our exchange student brought a bag of (ground) Café Pilão as a gift on her arrival from Brazil. Unfortunately, I didn't learn about cafezinho until after it was gone, so I had it only in pour-overs. This was strong coffee, probably meant to be consumed even stronger and tempered with sugar, and a bit fruity. Had a tendency to sour if left sitting too long, but okay as long as it was consumed while still fresh.
  • Guatemala Maya September 10, 2010: Great aroma and flavor. Very close in quality to the Guatemala Antigua. Have not yet tried it in a french press, but the pour-overs are spectacular.
  • Mexico Chiapas Summer 2010: Had enjoyed this coffee before, but forgot how much I liked it. (One of the reasons for this coffee blog.) I've purchased this a few times through the Summer of 2010 and like it very much. Deep, rich flavor.
  • Peru June 9, 2010: French press was good, but unremarkable, but maybe I messed up the mixture. Pour-over was robust and bold, a bit earthy. Maybe a tad dry, but in the way that leaves you wanting more. (Update: Overall, I'm just not impressed with Peruvian coffee when compared to Costa Rica or Mexico Chiapas.)
  • Ethiopia Sidamo June 2010: A lighter roast, very mild. A bit too fruity for my taste, although more earthy in a French press.
  • Costa Rica May 2010: A nice roast, rather woodsy. Very enjoyable in a French press. (Update: I think this will replace Moka Java as my go-to roast. Have tried this several times now and it's a very satisfying roast.)
  • Sumatra Mandheling May 2010: An excellent roast. Deep rich flavor in both pour-over and French press, but not overpowering. A slightly acidic edge characteristic of volcanic soil, in a very pleasant way.
  • Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend May 2010: Perhaps it was the blend, but my first experience with Jamaican Blue Mountain did not live up to the hype. Whatever it was blended with gave it a similarity to the Nicaragua, but with much bolder overtones.
  • Nicaragua Spring 2010: Very subtle, understated flavor in a pour-over. French press exposed all of the subtlety, very delightful. The heavy sediment at the bottom of the cup was not overpowering, but a smoky rich flavor, somewhat like apple-flavored pipe tobacco.
  • Guatemala Antigua Spring 2009: Roasted by Eric and Courtney. This was the best coffee I ever tasted. Intoxicating aroma, bold flavor.