Showing posts with label Flat Black Coffee Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flat Black Coffee Company. Show all posts

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Mugged: Tanzanian Peaberry [Flat Black]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Flat Black Coffee Company
Coffee Mugged: Tanzanian Peaberry
Rating: 4+ [see key]



A
s I previously wrote, a coffee's freshness really sells a coffee. And while the previous coffee I received from ROASTe proved flavorful despite possible age, the Tanzanian Peaberry did not fair as well.

The first warning was that this coffee did not have much of a dry aroma, as when I first opened the paper bag, it smelled only like bag. I prepared the coffee in a french press, vacuum press and via drip. The press tasted sweet with tastes of Asian pear and a bit spicy with hints of cardboard. The vacuum press fared better, with a more balanced cup with similar notes of pear and spiciness. The drip produced nothing that the other two did not.

Thus, though I would say this coffee from Flat Black holds some promise, I would like to give it a try a little fresher. If you get a chance to try it, let me know how it works.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Mugged: Ethiopian Harrar [Flat Black Coffee Co]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Flat Black Coffee Company
Coffee Mugged: Ethiopian Harrar
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Coffee, like most food, has an optimal window of consumption. Many gadgets and techniques have been created to keep it fresh, but time is a fierce foe.

So when I get coffee from a roaster, I look for signs of age. I look for roast dates (uber handy), I look for CO2 valves, I look for good packaging and a good smell off the beans. But sometimes, even when all of the above don't happen, the coffee can still turn out well.

When I got a package from Roaste, it had an Ethiopian Harrar from Flat Black Coffee Company in a simple paper bag and not much of a dry aroma. Usually this tells me this coffee is going to be rough, but compelled to not judge a coffee too harshly before I tasted it, I pressed on.

And press I did. I french pressed my first batch and was delighted to have a small explosion of berry off the start, followed with deep chocolate notes and a light, tea-like body. The vacuum press had a little less luster, with similar berry effects and a hints of pineapple and an oolong-ish taste on the back. The drip was very similar to the first two, but even more subdued.

In my final deductions, it seems this coffee was a little older than optimal but nonetheless a great coffee despite it. I'd be curious to try this coffee three days fresh out of the Flat Black roaster to compare.

If ye happen to order with Roaste or straight from Flat Black, give the Ethiopian Harrar a try.