Monday, July 16, 2007

In the Cup - Brazil Jacu Bird Coffee

My first cup of this coffee was rested for 2.5 days and brewed in the Technivorm with Swissgold filter. Same method for each of the ensuing days.

This is a really nice, smooth, pleasing cup of coffee. The term that Tom (of Sweet Maria's) used, "dusty sweetness" is a very apt description and there is a really pleasing suggestion of milk chocolate too. There is the "drying" hint of peanut in the aftertaste and aroma, but not
astringent. The aftertaste is long, and very pleasant. As the days progressed, it developed the slightest peppery hint. A nicely balance, very enjoyable cup of coffee.

My co-workers had been waiting for me to bring it to work so that they could try it. I brought a Thermos of it to work with me each day for sharing and it was unanimous. Everyone knew beforehand what the deal was with the coffee and there was only two people who would not try the coffee. Of all those that tried the coffee (about a dozen or so), everyone agreed that it was a very nice, balanced, enjoyable cup of coffee with a great lingering aftertaste.

Roasting details:

Roaster: 4 lb RK Drum
Date & Time: 07/08/2007 @ 5:10 PM
Ambient Temperature: 90ºF
Batch Size: 1 pound
Roast Level: Full City+ (just a few snaps of 2nd crack)
1st crack: 12 minutes 15 seconds
2nd crack: 15 minutes 30 seconds
Roast pulled and cooled: 15 minutes 30 seconds

Friday, July 13, 2007

Similar Roasts: Gene Cafe and CO/UFO

I was contacted by IMAWRITER (great guy!) to do a roast swap and compare the results of the CO/UFO (Covection Oven / Salton UFO Popcorn Maker, aka SC/TO) versus the Gene Cafe. We discussed and roasted the Sweet Maria's El Salvador SHB Pulp Natural - San Emilio to Full City+ and shipped them off to one another. I was really surprised as to how similar the roasts turned out; almost identical, but mine was a tad darker, which I was really trying to avoid. In a blind cupping, I do not believe I could have chosen which was roasted in which roaster.

To me, the outcome of this exercise underscores that it is the skill of the person doing the roasting that is of paramount importance. Different roasting appliances may impart qualities inherent to the appliance, but it is the roaster ... YOU ... who controls the outcome and final results.