Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Mugged: Sumatra Mandheling [Coffee Labs]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Coffee Labs Roasters
Coffee Mugged:
Sumatra Mandheling

Rating: 4+
[see key]




*updated 4.19.11

W
hen the topic of favorite coffee comes up, many people seem to throw out Sumatra as their top pick. Granted I am sure some of them actually have carefully weighed out that designation but for most, I think people just like the idea of getting their coffee from an exotic Pacific Island.

Regardless of how much research goes into it, Sumatra does produce some decent coffee. Recently, Roaste offered a chance to review one of the many coffees they purvey and looking to try out a decent Sumatran (Africa and America have been dominating my cup as of late), I set my sights on Coffee Labs Roasters' Sumatra Mandheling. Having store credit, I glided quite quickly through Roaste's checkout process and awaited my coffee directly from Coffee Labs.

Upon first inspection, the beans were plump and medium-dark. I sampled the coffee via drip, french press and siphon.

The drip threw notes of pound cake, pepper, dark cocoa, a little molasses, some cinnamon, graham cracker and a little smokiness. The overall flavor was a little dark but with pungent sweetness amidst a medium to full body.

The french press held honey, rye, pepper, a little lemon, tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon. A slightly different cup but still a sweet, dark cup.

The siphon proved sweeter, with facets of honey and caramel, a little cashew, some sweet wine, black pepper, tobacco throughout, some apple and a olive oil. The brew had a medium body and a mellow profile.

All in all, Coffee Labs put together a decent Sumatran though the smoky and dark flavors seemed to detract from the other parts of the coffee in my opinion (maybe a lighter roast would have done it). If you are on the lookout for medium/dark Sumatran, give Coffee Labs' Sumatra Mandheling a whirl.
note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.


Update 4.19.11
In reading back through this, I realized that I breezed over the impact Roaste had on my experience unfairly. Roaste provided a very simple shopping experience that made purchasing coffee a breeze, from decision to check out to delivery straight from the roaster. The only facet that could improve is that some coffee roasters led to empty pages (such as Kickapoo).

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

CC: Chestnut Hill Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?
Location visited: Lancaster, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating:
6+ [
see key]



I love the glorious simplicity of a sunny, pleasant day where a cool breeze amidst sunny rays refreshes the senses with the noxious delights of creation. It's days like this that cause me to sneeze a lot the following day from all of the emphatic inhaling.

In such climatic splendor I found myself in one day within Lancaster, PA. En route with a moderate entourage, we were basking in the euphoric atmosphere and had our sights on what was foretold as a grand coffeehouse to patronize. This aforementioned establishment was knighted Chestnut Hill Cafe, a coffeehouse said to be serving Counter Culture Coffee and pulling splendid shots of espresso.

Taking advantage of the free street parking, we sauntered over to their corner brick building, complete with a full patio of seating amidst a lovely array of trees. Within, the coffeehouse is outlined with copper, blacks and grays in a swanky arrangement of furniture and surrounded by numerous, beautiful windows.

I stepped up to their sizable bar and ordered an espresso (they used Counter Culture's Toscana) and a drip of their 21st de Septiembre from Mexico. The drip imbued notes of honey, strawberry candy, cherries, granola, daffodil greens and a little chicken broth; a pleasant coffee with a light-to-medium body. The espresso,pulled short with a marbled crema, was also delectable, holding facets of bitter cocoa, nutmeg, sweet lemon, a touch of honey and cinnamon. The tea was free leaf.

Finishing our beverages, we walked out into the toasty afternoon sun pleased with our experience. If you happen to be in Lancaster, make a stop at
Chestnut Hill Cafe.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Mugged: Bolivian Fair Trade [Coffee Foundry]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Coffee Foundry
Coffee Mugged:
Bolivian Fair Trade

Rating: 4+
[see key]





L
ocal businesses working together makes a whole heap of sense. Take NYC clothing company 3sixteen that put together a video series about what people who wear their clothes are passionate about. The videos document tattoo studio Invisible NYC and the drummer of the Death Set, but the one that caught my eye was the one about the Coffee Foundry, a local coffeehouse and roaster in NYC's West Village.



Long story short, the video enticed my curiosity and the Coffee Foundry (in cooperation with 3sixteen) sent me out some of their Bolivian Fair Trade to take for an objective spin. I received a medium roasted coffee in the classic brown bag which I prepared in three different infusions: drip (filtered), french press and siphon. All three infusions produced light-to-medium bodied brews with mellifluous results.

The drip presented a wheat-like brew with the flavors of cream, cooking cocoa, graham cracker, croissant, raisin, fig and kettle popcorn.

The french press brought out more notes similar to rum and oatmeal but still produced popcorn, raisin and fig along with a little tingle of dandelion green.

The siphon dealt out a cup similar to the drip, with a noticeable wheat presence followed by a little cream, honey, cooking cocoa, nuttiness, croissant and a bit of cinnamon.

While I wouldn't say Coffee Foundry's Bolivian was one of the best I've had, I will say that it produced a good cup of joe. If you're in the market for good south american coffee, grab a bag from the Coffee Foundry.


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

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

CC: Chinatown Coffee Co.

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What's does "CC" mean?
Location visited: Washington DC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating:
6+ [
see key]



Of the many Chinatowns I've walked through, each has its similarities and differences. All usually have a variety of restaurants serving all types of Asian fare. But each city's Chinatown has its unique facets, such as New York's bountiful markets and San Francisco's colorful architecture.

Now DC didn't really have any real standout features in their Chinatown that I knew of until I heard of the opening of the Chinatown Coffee Company. Not that a coffeehouse in a Chinatown location is anything new, but this cafe touted a host of good roasters and an admirable pledge to quality.

Thus, I found myself on their doorstep one blustery Monday. The cafe has a noticeable presence on H Street with a huge black banner highlighting its presence. Inside, the cafe is long with concrete floors, church bench seating and a nice metal counter (at the time, it was brimming with patrons).

Their roster of coffee roasters included Counter Culture, Intelligentsia and Novo. With my options narrowed to Intelly choices, I chose a drip of their organic Brazil and an espresso of Hairbender. The Brazilian offered flavors of honey, pear, a little grass, some graham cracker, a tingle of prune and whiskey and a little milkiness, all with a lighty body and smooth taste (good infusion and showing). The espresso, pulled short with a beautiful crema, demonstrated notes of chianti, lemon, cocoa, some maple syrup, cane sugar and a tinge of cedar (a splendid pull of Black Cat). The tea is free leaf and they also serve beer and wine.

To put it mildly, I greatly cherished my coffee experience at Chinatown Coffee Co. Whether you're a local or you're just in town, the cafe is conveniently located by the metro and tourist spots galore. Stop on by for some good coffee.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Mugged: Mystic Morning [Marley Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Marley Coffee
Coffee Mugged:
Mystic Morning

Rating: 3+
[see key]





M
y second coffee from Marley Coffee was an Ethiopian and Central American blend called Mystic Morning. Having seen strong reviews of this blend and having had my share of similar blends, I was curious to see how Marley would perform when it came to a dual-continent blend.

The coffee looked a bit on the dark end for a medium coffee but it wasn't so dark as to be out the medium range. I sampled the coffee via drip and french press (my siphon was out of commission when I was reviewing this coffee).

The drip produced notes of spicy apple, a little bit of nutmeg, oregano, whole wheat bread, bourbon, a little grass and candied plum. A decent infusion with a mellow body and a small sting of darkness.

The french press held a bit of dark cocoa, apple, pumpkin bread, a little oregano, bourbon and some honey on the end. A similarly mellow coffee but with a little more expression in the flavor accents.

All together, it seemed the central american-esque flavors of the coffee (earthy and honey) came out over the brightness usually associated with east African coffees. I can't say I was floored with the overall flavors but Mystic Morning wasn't a bad coffee either (just a little spicier then I would have liked). I also have a sneaky suspicion that this coffee was not fresh (I mentioned a similar concern in my review of their Jamaican Blue Mountain, as I got both shipped from Cooking.com). So, at best, this was a slightly stale version that tasted fair or at worst, a fresh version that didn't sample so well.

Either way, give Mystic Morning a whirl if you're looking to give it a gamble.


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