Showing posts with label British Columbia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British Columbia. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Mugged: Beachcomber Coffee Co


Subject: Beachcomber Coffee Co
Coffee Mugged: self-titled
Rating [see key]: 3+

While I've only been to Vancouver, BC once, it remains one of my favorite Canadian cities. The climate was pleasant, the people friendly and the coffee abundantly delicious. Thus, it nearly always pulls my interest to hear of new coffee coming from the Canadian west.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Product Review: Espro Press

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Company:
Espro

Product:
Espro Press
Rating:
5+ (translates to "great")




It might just be me, but there seems like there are thousands of different french press-type apparatuses on the market. Personally, I've reviewed traditional glass ones and disposable ones, not to mention a few bodums I've gone through over the years. All operate off the basic concept of a metal mesh plunger trapping the coffee grounds at the bottom of the vessel, letting only the coffee escape into the mug, yet most french press designs never seem to trap the finer, silty grinds which make the final sips of coffee more akin to the reverse of a whale sieving plankton through baleen.

Fortunately, the folks at Espro seem to have found an end to filter failure. The Espro Press, a french press at first glance, sets to improve on the design by changing the metal filter to a super fine double micro-filter with a plastic seal that altogether is supposed to keep all sediment out of the final pour.

The kind folks at Espro sent me out one to field test and after a few infusions, I found their claims to be true. Each cup, brewed 3 minutes (with a brief stirring in the middle) and then gently pressed, produced a remarkably clean cup with no noticeable sediment in consumption or left in the cup at the conclusion (even when I let the press drain extensively). The metal design also kept the coffee insulated while brewing and all of the pieces proved very easy to clean. My only criticism was that it only produced an 8 oz cup of coffee, which works for only one person but would prove inconvenient with guests.

Therefore, if you are on the hunt for a new french press, I would give the Espro Press strong consideration, especially if you're tired of sediment in your cup.


note: product was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Mugged: Single Estate Signature [Doi Chaang]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Doi Chaang Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
Single Estate Signature
Rating:
3+ [see key]





W
rapping up my overall Doi Chaang experience is their Single Estate Signature blend, a coffee that is blended post-roasting and was the dark horse of the three coffees I received (the other two had ratings on the bag to give me an idea of what to expect). I sampled it a la drip, french press and siphon.

As I sipped the brew from my french press, I noticed a smoky aroma and taste, followed by a kick of pepper and then, a leveled out, smooth coffee with dollops of apple butter. This brew stood as the smokiest and the bitterest of the three batches.

My drip fared less smoky, still showing up with a bit of bitterness and pepper as well as the apple butter middle and finish. This cup also tasted nuttier and was smooth-ish overall.

The siphon produced the lightest of the three, demonstrating not much smokiness, but instead more cocoa. This cup was the least bitter and had flavors of apple as well as vanilla and nutmeg. The most enjoyable of the three in my estimation.

This
Single Estate Signature left its mark as a fair coffee; by no means a bench warmer but still not at the level of a home runner. Give this coffee a sip if you're looking for a good Thai medium/dark coffee.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Mugged: Single Estate Piko's Peaberry [Doi Chaang]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Doi Chaang Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
Single Estate Piko's Peaberry
Rating:
2+ [see key]




Q
uality coffees really aren't that much different than mediocre coffees.

WAIT...what?! That is heresy! Clearly, factors such as the quality of the crop, the way in which said crop was processed and how it is then roasted all separate an amazing coffee from the rest. How could I say that an amazing coffee isn't that much different then a mediocre coffee?!

Well, lets agree that when you get a coffee that is grown, processed and roasted well, my digestive planets align and I swoon like an Elvis impersonator at Graceland. Such coffee stands head and shoulders above lesser coffee.

But mess up one or more of the steps from crop to cup, a quality coffee is lost in a sea of average beans. So it seems was the case with a recent coffee I got from Doi Chaang. The coffee was their peaberry and had an admirable 93 from Coffee Review on the front, so opening it up, I was excited. But when I opened the bag, I noticed a pretty dark coffee and the first thing that hit me was "Ken (from Coffee Review) usually doesn't rate a lot of dark coffees in the 90s" but I dismissed it as pessimism and gave it a go via drip, siphon and french press (later I found that when Ken rated this coffee, it was of a medium roast).

Sadly, the results were less then exciting. The drip produced a dark cup with hints of cocoa, a little bit of orange and a good amount of bitterness over a medium body. The french press was very similar, with bitterness throughout, a deep cocoa and a peppery orange flavor. The siphon had a little lighter body, as well as a little more of a nougat and curry flavor, but overall, still the same. To say the least, the coffee was consistent throughout the various brewings.

Thus, it seems that the darker roasting of this coffee sunk a lot of its finer flavors and needless to say, I would love to try it as a lighter roast. If you are looking for a decent dark coffee of Thailand, give
Doi Chaang's Piko's Peaberry a sampling.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

CC: JJ Bean

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: JJ Bean
Location visited: Vancouver, BC
(Main St location)
Free WiFi ? : no
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Having a favorite coffee spot with a whole bunch of locations is something I don't experience a lot. Much like the masses patronize chains because of their convenience, many amazing coffee establishments don't possess a large number of venues usually for problems of cost and fears of oversaturation/overextension.

But when I recently hit Vancouver, I found yet another reason to envy the locals as not only do they have a variety of great coffee establishments, but a few of the establishments have numerous locations all over the city, like JJ Bean.

A coffeehouse that first started out on Grainville Island, the coffee business now has seven locations, all with very appealing architecture and solid reputations. In my limited travels, I managed to make it to the Main Street location with its glossy, wood-planked exterior and nice spacious windows. The inside has high ceilings, a central fireplace and a nice variety of seating.

JJ Bean roasts a vast array of coffee, with the Eastside Blend the coffee that found its way to my cup that morning, producing a smooth drip with a buttery hang and a hint of cherry. The espresso, which the barista pulled wonderfully short, possessed flavors of cocoa, lime and a subtle smoky flavor. I did not see the tea though I'm sure it is offered.

I wish I could have tried a few more of the JJ Beans, but alas, I had little time in Vancouver. Next time, I plan to definitely make a stop back as the experience was grand.

If you're in Vancouver, give one of JJ Bean's venues a whirl.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

CC: 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters

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What's does "CC" mean?

Location visited: Vancouver, BC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



In my travels, Vancouver has thus far been my favorite Canadian city. The beautiful mountains shadowing the large metropolis really brings the best of the city to the prisitine wonder of the wild. From also what I understand, the weather also rarely gets too unbearable (it was relatively beautiful when I visited) and the culture has all sorts of facets to it.

But for me, the best part of Vancouver was the coffee (shocker!). As Seattle's Canadian neighbor, the city has in many ways distinguished itself quite noticeably in the coffee and espresso scene. Of the many places I wished to visit, the one at the top of my list was 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters' showcase cafe on W 4th Avenue. I had the fortune of imbibing their coffee in a couple other locations, all of which proved lovely, so to visit the mother ship gave me something to really look forward to.

Walking down the street on a lovely early spring day, I first beheld the cafe after I had nearly stumbled over it (the shops were close and much of the neighboring signage was quite loud). Stepping past their nice metal outside seating and retractable awning, I walked into their beautifully decorated shop with its vaulted ceilings plus their trademark blue and brown color scheme. I also want to note that this was probably the first cafe that I've seen more than a few employees working at the same time (I remember it numbering over 6!).

Getting straight to the coffee, I ordered 49th's Costa Rica via their Clover. The brew turned out wonderful, with an even-balanced, bright cup with hints of currants. The espresso also came out blissfully well, with a nice balance of sweetness and even a touch of saltiness, overshadowed with a wave of chocolate. The tea is free leaf of their own.

Given my lofty impressions of 49th Parallel Coffee and of Vancouver, I definitely left with an utter satisfaction of a good experience. If you're ever in town, definitely pop by 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters.