REX Double XX Review:
After doing a complete cleaning of my brand new grinder, and my 16 year old Mr. Coffee machine, I ran some water through my Brita Water filter pitcher. I wanted everything perfect for brewing this new (to me) coffee.
While grinding, what a wonderful aroma. The bag said it was roasted on January 10, and I'd received it on January 13. Today is January 16. Such a strong suggestion of chocolate filled the air. I ground the beans to medium. Not thick, so as to lose any possible flavor. Not too much, to avoid creating an espresso. Don't want to use too much too soon.
Measured an amount consistent with a 5 cup brew cycle. As the machine kicked into gear, the most amazing aroma started to fill the kitchen. My wife, on the second floor, came down to find out what I was doing. The smell was enticing to her, and she hates coffee and prefers tea.
When finished, I took my favorite mug and filled it. No cream or sugar... as is my practice with any new coffee. I like tasting it unadulterated with other flavors until I know what I'm tasting. Such a strong, and I'd even say bold, flavor. It WAS roasted almost dark. Notes of Chocolate, and Tobacco floated over my taste buds. I am in love with another coffee. Almost sweet all by itself. A touch of citrus acidity, but nothing bitter about this at all.
This is a coffee I would recommend to anyone who wants a GREAT cup of coffee. Try it "Black, no sugar" at first. It is an excellent choice for a late night coffee, even if I did have it before 11am. Working nights, this IS my night time.
For the second cup, I added two tablespoons of Clover Honey, and a half measure of Coffee*Mate (non-dairy) creamer. It really doesn't need any cream.... but that's how I take most of my coffee. Such wonderful notes and finishes. This is a 5-Star coffee. Aromatic and delicious. Bold and beautiful (not to sound like a soap opera). I'll bring some to a friend with a Pour-Over system, and try the second pot that way. Regular brewing works very well with this.
http://www.roaste.com/
This is the website to order this amazingly wonderful coffee. It's worth ordering.
A 12ox. bag of freshly roasted beans currently costs $11.49
Courtesy of your Coffee Reviewer. Have a nice day, and God Bless!
This blog is all about the coffee. It will be filled with my personal opinions of the various coffees that I, personally, have tried. I have my preferences, when it comes to coffee. I prefer dark roasts, and do NOT like decaf much at all. I will be reviewing coffee, latte, cappuccino, and various other varieties of my favorite beverage.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Costa Rican Bourbon
From a friend, I received some coffee beans to review. The first, or two, is called "Costa Rican Bourbon". As a recovering alcoholic, the name worried me. After doing further research, I discovered it has no alcohol content.
Not owning a grinder of my own, I had to find a way to have the beans ground for my 16+ year old Mr. Coffee. I bought my first grinder for the home. It is a burr grinder, and after experimenting with some 'store bought' beans, discovered that for a 10 cup pot, I need to grind for exactly 28 seconds. The recommended 30 seconds made too fine a grind, and I would need to double the filter to avoid contamination of grounds in my coffee.
As I have noted in previous postings, I started by thoroughly cleaning my machine, making sure that no residue of the last brewing remained. If you're going to review coffee, or anything for that matter, you do not want anything standing in your way of an unadulterated sampling.
I started with a 5 cup pot, to leave some left over for another day.
The aroma, during brewing, had a subtle hint of wood. Not sure if it would have been like an oak, or a cherry, but definitely lumber WAS involved.
As always, the first sips, of the first cupping, were "Black, no sugar". This is the ONLY way to discover the high notes, and more particularly the subtle ones. This coffee had overtones of caramel, with a subtle floral/fruity note to it. Almost an apricot, from a flowering, rather than outright fruity taste. Slightly acidic, which tells me this is an Arabica, rather than a Robusto, origin coffee.
The second cup, I added a little bit of non-dairy creamer and some clover honey, Oh, my!!! The apricot was enhanced to where you could tell the fruity note, and even the caramel was enticing, yet not overpowering.
By the time I finished this pot. I could tell the beans were roasted to a medium finish. The second pop was evident in the beans, but they were not scorched.
I would highly recommend this coffee, as a way to take the cold out of a winter's day, and warm the heart...... Well done, Sean Hand (the friend who asked me to review his micro-roasting efforts).
More in the next review...
Courtesy of your Coffee Reviewer. Have a nice day, and God Bless!
Not owning a grinder of my own, I had to find a way to have the beans ground for my 16+ year old Mr. Coffee. I bought my first grinder for the home. It is a burr grinder, and after experimenting with some 'store bought' beans, discovered that for a 10 cup pot, I need to grind for exactly 28 seconds. The recommended 30 seconds made too fine a grind, and I would need to double the filter to avoid contamination of grounds in my coffee.
As I have noted in previous postings, I started by thoroughly cleaning my machine, making sure that no residue of the last brewing remained. If you're going to review coffee, or anything for that matter, you do not want anything standing in your way of an unadulterated sampling.
I started with a 5 cup pot, to leave some left over for another day.
The aroma, during brewing, had a subtle hint of wood. Not sure if it would have been like an oak, or a cherry, but definitely lumber WAS involved.
As always, the first sips, of the first cupping, were "Black, no sugar". This is the ONLY way to discover the high notes, and more particularly the subtle ones. This coffee had overtones of caramel, with a subtle floral/fruity note to it. Almost an apricot, from a flowering, rather than outright fruity taste. Slightly acidic, which tells me this is an Arabica, rather than a Robusto, origin coffee.
The second cup, I added a little bit of non-dairy creamer and some clover honey, Oh, my!!! The apricot was enhanced to where you could tell the fruity note, and even the caramel was enticing, yet not overpowering.
By the time I finished this pot. I could tell the beans were roasted to a medium finish. The second pop was evident in the beans, but they were not scorched.
I would highly recommend this coffee, as a way to take the cold out of a winter's day, and warm the heart...... Well done, Sean Hand (the friend who asked me to review his micro-roasting efforts).
More in the next review...
Courtesy of your Coffee Reviewer. Have a nice day, and God Bless!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Square One House Coffee
On January 2nd, I went into Square One, to help celebrate their first day in this new year. I ordered a large House Coffee
The brew was a blend of Mexican, Sumatran, and Ethopian coffee beans. House brews, usually, are a blend of the last beans in short roast batches.
No Cream, and honey to remove the slightest tartness from it.
Notes of Caramel, tobacco, and a very slight hint of chocolate. The aroma had a touch of Sweet Cherry Cavendish (this is a pleasant pipe tobacco).
Overall, I'd say it was a good combination. To share a cup of coffee with friends, and have it taste SO good!!! I was there close to closing, so before I left, they offered a large one to go. It was going to be poured down the drain, anyway, so I agreed. Totally Yummy!!!
If you have a favorite coffee house, be sure to let them know WHY you like them so much. This blog is all about the coffee, but there are a great deal of people responsible for the coffee being SO good. Get to know them, and show your appreciation of them. Go more frequently, and don't forget to tip your barista, when you can. The best need to feel good about what they do for us, so they will keep doing it.
Square One
143 North Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Courtesy of your Coffee Reviewer. Have a nice day, and God Bless!
The brew was a blend of Mexican, Sumatran, and Ethopian coffee beans. House brews, usually, are a blend of the last beans in short roast batches.
No Cream, and honey to remove the slightest tartness from it.
Notes of Caramel, tobacco, and a very slight hint of chocolate. The aroma had a touch of Sweet Cherry Cavendish (this is a pleasant pipe tobacco).
Overall, I'd say it was a good combination. To share a cup of coffee with friends, and have it taste SO good!!! I was there close to closing, so before I left, they offered a large one to go. It was going to be poured down the drain, anyway, so I agreed. Totally Yummy!!!
If you have a favorite coffee house, be sure to let them know WHY you like them so much. This blog is all about the coffee, but there are a great deal of people responsible for the coffee being SO good. Get to know them, and show your appreciation of them. Go more frequently, and don't forget to tip your barista, when you can. The best need to feel good about what they do for us, so they will keep doing it.
Square One
143 North Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Courtesy of your Coffee Reviewer. Have a nice day, and God Bless!
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