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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.