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What does "Mugged" mean?Subject: Flat Black Coffee CompanyCoffee Mugged: Tanzanian Peaberry
Rating: 4+ [see key]
As 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.
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Saw this article in Time about Fair Trade and how it really seems to have hit the limit of good it can do. Seems as if direct trade (direct transaction between farmer and grower) stands as the only really lucrative alternative for the farmer...
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What's does "CC" mean?(inside Politics and Prose)
Location visited: Washington DC
Free WiFi ? : yesRating: 4+ [see key]The bookstore and coffeehouse combination is one that has such familiarity anymore that when I walk into a big bookstore, I'm surprised not to see at least a coffee cart. Yet rarely do these intra-bookstore coffee operations have promising practices, either serving well-marketed swill or showcasing the latest in automatic espresso.
So I can honestly declare that I hit the first bookstore and coffeehouse duo that had a promising looking set-up. In DC, the spacious Politics and Prose Bookstore has a basement coffeehouse called Modern Times Coffeehouse. As one walks down the stairs, the cafe is tucked away in a cozy yet surprisingly accommodating space with a nice flow of natural light and a mellow collection of furniture and art.
They serve Righteous Bean Coffee (warning: website has music) a fair trade and organic coffee that seems bullish on social justice. I ordered the Costa Rican drip, which sampled balanced and a little bright, though sadly it tasted pretty bland and a bit stale. The espresso was of similar caliber, with a medium pull that demonstrated a tinge of caramel, darkness and a little cardboard. The tea was free leaf.
Thus, while Modern Times Coffeehouse didn't blow my bookstore/coffeehouse paradigm out of the water, it did give me hope that books and good coffee can get along.
If you're looking for a good book and a cup of coffee, stop by Politics and Prose.
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What's does "CC" mean?Location visited: Washington DC
Free WiFi ? : yesRating: 4+ [see key]Everyone loves a fun, trendy hangout. Whether it's a brunch location, a swanky pub or occasionally a pleasant coffeehouse, such places provide the venue for social construction.
Yet rarely do such places also provide good coffee (if they provide it at all) so news of a hopping place called Tryst that serves Counter Culture Coffee made my ears perk up. It didn't take much to see that the place was popular as the open cafe front displayed wall-to-wall people. Tryst offers table service (with a healthy line out the front that day) as well as the usual full coffee bar where people on the run can order their coffee and jet.
The coffee I had was the Tryst House 4 Bean blend, a dark grape-ish coffee with a buttery texture and a really dark essence (a decent drip). I got two trys at the espresso, as when the barista saw me wince at the first (involuntarily, as it was sour), to her credit she offered me another pull (the second was much better). The second pair of shots were pulled short and were sweet, chocolatey, with hints of cashew and a nice creaminess; overall not bad espresso. The tea is free leaf and they also have a full bar including beer on tap.
While I didn't get to hang out at Tryst (the line persisted the whole time), the place really seemed like a nice place to socialize and enjoy some fair coffee. If you're in need of such a place in DC, give Tryst a try.
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What does "Mugged" mean?Subject: Flat Black Coffee CompanyCoffee 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.
What does "Mugged" mean?
