Friday, August 3, 2012

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Indonesian Sulawesi

The name says it all...hard to say and hard to drink. It is a light to medium bodied blend, with low acidity, but it has a potent aftertaste which lingers like someone at a party that you desparately want to leave but won't get the hint. Indonesian coffee is known for their intense foresty or earthy flavors. Earthy - yes.

Bean rating: 2 out of 5

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Oh Muddy River

I picked up some of the Delta Mud blend from Alterra the other day at Metcalfe's Market (awesome, awesome grocery store in Madison).

The description on the Alterra website is about a coffee that is "not for the timid or faint of heart..." and "an extremely rich, deep cup of coffee".

I wouldn't say this is not for the timid. I didn't find it to be all that full bodied, but it did have a nice depth and intensity to it, without being a full french roast type blend. The name initially scared me off, but I'm hooked on the Delta Mud.

Bean rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Luna Stout

Luna coffee roasters is a small roaster based in De Pere, WI. For whatever reason, their website was down today or otherwise I'd give you the linke (it's Lunacafe.com). You'll see their coffees all over Door County.

I tried the Luna Stout. This roast is more famously known for being incorporated into Hinterland Brewery's Luna Stout Beer (beer mixed with coffee), which is quite a tasty concoction.

That being said, Luna Stout is a dark, dense taste without being overly acidic or earthy. Surprisingly, it had little aftertaste.

Bean Rating: 4 out of 5.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Happy Admin Professional Day

As a small token of our appreciation, I stopped by Starbucks this morning to pick up a mocha and gift card for our wonderful administrative professional, Mary, as today is Administrative Professional Day.

While there, I grabbed a cup of the Cafe Estima blend, or at least that's what I think it was. I did not have my glasses on this morning, so who knows what I'm really reviewing. Anyway, whatever I had, and I will assume it is Cafe Estima, was delicious. Very smooth, not bitter at all and full of subtle citrus and floral notes. I think I prefer it to their Pike Place roast.

Also, Starbucks in case you read my pathetically small blog, please keep the Via Tribute Blend available! It is far and away the best Via offering.

Bean rating for Cafe Estima: 4.5 out of 5

Get out today and buy a cup for your administrative professional as a means of your appreciation of their hard work and efforts.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Starbucks tribute blend

Claimed by Starbucks to be the culmination of "40 years of stories, discoveries and relationships". Not sure what that means because they never ask my opinion about what coffee they should serve. Anyway, I bought some of the Tribute Blend Via packs. I'd describe this coffee as somewhat spicy undertones. I did not detect any cherry undertones, which the box claims. Overall, a decent blend and one of the better options for the Via route. Bean rating: 4 out of 5

Friday, March 4, 2011

Yo soy americano

Perhaps my favorite coffee drink is an Americano. An Americano is prepared by adding hot water to espresso, which creates a drink of similar strength but much different taste than regular drip/brewed coffee.

In case you are curious, the name Americano has its origins from World War II when American soldiers stationed in Europe would add hot water into espresso to imitate the drip coffee to which they were used to.