10/22-10/23
Origin: Ethiopia
Roast Level: Light-Medium
Roast Location: Sacramento, California

Preparation Style: Espresso (hot), Espresso (iced)

The cafe I bought these from recommended brewing these as an espresso. I’m very surprised at the amount of fruit flavor there is… but it’s very delicate.

As a single shot of hot espresso, I can taste Plum and… the tart flavor of a berry. Very tasty. However the “delicate” part is, if the espresso shot isn’t “just right”, the flavor is extremely sour! Of course, this is user error… but these beans were difficult to get right.

As an iced americano…the flavor changed much more than expected. The water dilutes all the tart plum flavor away! But then there is only sweet flavor left. Unfortunately… it is very subtle, and as the ice melts…it tastes kinda weird/gross. Drink it fast!!

I will continue to use these in my espresso machine for a while.


10/17/2024

Origin: Colombia (Blend)
Roast Level: Dark
Roast Location: Chico, California

Preparation Style: Pour Over (Hot)

Wow! This is really bitter. It is a dark roast, after all. It's not bad, it's like the bitterness of dark chocolate. There's not much flavor past the first taste...

The coffee started to taste better when I listened to the new Bialystocks album. (なるほど。。。←わかってない)

10/15/2024

Single Origin (Armenia, Colombia)
Roast Level: Light
Roast Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Preparation Style: Espresso

Absolutely delicious. I usually have difficulty extracting flavors from Light roasts, but not this time! Although the Espresso is bitter, there is a smooth sugar sweetness like an apple. Lots of citrus flavor. Cherry Dark chocolate made the flavor even more powerful. Added ice to the second half. Very refreshing!

Other notes: Use slightly more coffee grounds than normal. If under-extracted, these beans taste really bad.

(Unrelated) Gallica from Metaphor:ReFantazio is way too cute!!!!!!

10/14/2024

Blend (Origin not listed)
Roast Level: Blend (Unknown, Medium-Dark?)
Roast Location: San Francisco, California

Preparation Style: Flash Brew (Japanese Iced Coffee)

Many mysteries here. I forget how these coffee beans appeared in my kitchen... I don't get "Blends" very often.
Result was very bitter, even though it was brewed over ice. Chocolate notes. Low sweetness. Likely from Guatemala or Nicaragua. Toffee flavor Oreos paired very nicely.

other notes: Might be better as an Espresso.

10/13/2024

Single Origin (Chiapas, Mexico)
Roast Level: Medium
Roast Location: San Diego, California

Preparation Style: Pour-over (Hot)

Pretty Good. First taste is very dark, but the aftertaste is very light. It's as if someone slapped me and then hugged me. Although it tasted dark, it was not bitter at all. Surprisingly sweet. Would probably be good as cold brew. Flavor profile is mild for a single-origin coffee...I could taste mild floral tones, but might need to try again. Cherry dark chocolate did not pair well.

other notes: Flavor was extracted well, but depth could be improved. Try a finer grind next time? (11-12)



*Sorry for writing in English only. I would like to translate this someday. My Japanese studies have been... not good lately :(