Beans: YANDARO Washing Station
Roaster: Namamame Hompo
Roasting Degree: City
Origin/Area: Kabarole, ntara ya Kayanza, Burundi
Grade: N/A
Screen: N/A
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,800m
Variety: Burbon
Process: Fully Washed, Hand picked
【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 4
Sweetness: 5
Acidity: 3
Bitterness: 3
Richness: 4
※Grade 1 to 5
【Impression】
Medium high, aromaful, soothing dark chocolate aroma, apricots, apricot kernel, cardamon, green raisins, pears, clear, medium body but light flavor, clean, juicy, fruity, mellow, apple like high tone acidity as top note, lemonade, tropical fruits, mild sweetness, soft, linden honey, papaya, soft bitterness, clean bitterness and fruity acidity as a long lasting aftertaste.
【Note】
Burundi COE is the second COE program held in African continent, following Rwanda and Yandaro Washing Station was selected in 2012, the very first program. Please view ACE website for the detail of the station and COE if you are interested in Brundi and Rwanda COE. Although those regions often refer as "on the way", their cultivation somewhat amaze us with their high potential in terms of hidden and wild flavor. Since three new countries, China, Korea and Taiwan, start joining the specialty coffee market, potential buyers may be positive stimulation to COE and COE attendants. All we hope is everyone has the decency.
Beans: Haraaz Al Ezzi
Roaster: Home roasting
Roasting Degree: City
Origin/Area: Haraaz, Yemen
Grade: N/A
Screen: N/A, about 15up
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,500 ～ 2,500m
Variety: Native variety
Process: Natural
【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 5
Sweetness: 5
Acidity: 3
Bitterness: 3
Richness: 4
※Grade 1 to 5
【Impression】
Medium, fruity, highly citric aroma, kumquat, cardamon, orange peel, passion fruit, fresh pears, raw almond meal, high tone ground cacao nib, touch of steamed soy beans, very clean mouth feel, juicy, mellow, well balanced sweetness and bitterness, Inca berry, citric acidity hidden, touch of ginger, almond sweetness, lemon juice, yuzu peel, no tangy bitterness detected, a tip of dark chocolate, brown sugar, clean fruity sweetness as a long lasting aftertaste.
【Note】
Quality of Yemen coffee has been improving rapidly. Impression above may not explain even a tip of flavor. This lot from Haraaz introduces the flavor non of other beans have, yet presents full of traditional Arabian flavor. Fruity it is, nothing can imitate and replace this...
Admitting that Cafe Vita created the history and standard for Seattle coffee culture, but still, Lighthouse Roasters is the one of the favorites in Seattle.
Located in northern Fremont, Lighthouse Roasters is a cozy and quiet neighborhood coffee shop/roaster has grown locally. Although the shop located on 43rd St., on the same street as Vita Fremont is, we need to closely pay attention to find the location: the shop is hidden in residential. Not big enough to stay for a day, but a friendly and cozy atmosphere may make you want to stay longer watching roasting.
Creamy espresso and Cafe latte entertain us as well as roasting...
Someone loves Starbucks type deep roast flavor may not happy with their clear flavor espresso but has enough boldness with body and well balanced sweetness/bitterness.
Coffee beans are roasted on-site in vintage cast-iron roasters even in the afternoon. Both roasting machines and Tower of coffee bean bags are there, close enough to excite coffee lovers spirits. There are noting disturb us to hear and smell how they roast in live.
Lighthouse Roasters carries various beans all over the world as usual third wavers, or maybe called specialty coffee, together with rare beans seasonal/monthly. Still, there are some blends and single origins can live/stay with us as "regular" daily cups for years.
Beans: Jungle estate
Roaster: Home roasting
Roasting Degree: Full City
Origin/Area: Kingongo, Nyeri county, Kenya
Grade: AA Top
Screen: 18 up
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,740m
Variety: N/A
Process: Washed
【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 4
Sweetness: 4
Acidity: 5
Bitterness: 4
Richness: 5
※Grade 1 to 5
【Impression】
Medium note, floral, jasmine flower, a touch of almond flower, bitter chocolate, soothing, roasted black beans, light note of tropical fruits, yellow kiwi, papaya, creamy, juicy texture, full bodied, Bordeaux like, rich, silky, mellow sweetness, brown sugar, bosc pear, Red Bartlett, cacao beans, full body, light clear bitterness, soothing, cocoa, raw cacao nib, sheer acidity behind bitterness, passion fruits, white grapes, Rosé Champagne like fruitiness with passion fruits like mouth feel as a long lasting aftertaste.
【Note】
Jungle estate, established by European settlement in 1920's, is blessed with extensive wild life surrounded by primeval forests, volcanic ash, and has rich water supply from both chania river and Muringato River. Currently the estate is owned by Keremara Limited and managed to marge into the forest. The owner has been managed the estate along with philosophy of sustainability over 100yrs.
Many says this is one of the highest quality Kenyan coffee we can ever dream of, and I totally agree with their opinion. This is the one to present after I found the best roaster.
Beans: Sulawesi Mamasa
Roaster: Home roasting
Roasting Degree: Full City
Origin/Area: Mamasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Grade: SG
Screen: 7.0 mm up
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,200～1,500m
Variety: Typica
Process: Sumatra Traditional
【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 4
Sweetness: 4
Acidity: 4
Bitterness: 4
Richness: 5
※Grade 1 to 5
【Impression】
Dark, aromaful, fruity, floral, sheer fresh green as top note, dark chocolate, sheer clove, cinnamon, clear, a bit creamy, mellow sweetness, hazelnuts cream, cane juice, herbal, a tip of fresh peach and lychee, thin layer of green apple, soothing and clear bitterness hidden, clean but light fruity acidity, clear and juicy sweetness as a long lasting aftertaste.
【Note】
Unlike other Indonesian dark roast, Sulawesi Mamasa is beyond dark roasted beans: clear, clean, juicy. Flavor is pleasantly well balanced enough for refresher, but also good enough for tea time coffee with sugary and creamy heavy pastries. Mamasa is region located on about 30km west of Toraja, one of the most popular coffee cultivation area in Sulawesi island. Green beans has beautifully dark and deep green color even compared to other Indonesian beans. Sumatran style enhances greeness of beans and transparency/clearness of the color.
Beans: Ache Green
Roaster: Home roasting
Roasting Degree: Full City
Origin/Area: Takengon, Ache, Sumatra, Indonesia
Grade: SG
Screen: 7.0 mm up
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,200～1,500m
Variety: N/A
Process: Sumatra Traditional
【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 4
Sweetness: 3
Acidity: 3
Bitterness: 4
Richness: 4
※Grade 1 to 5
【Impression】
Medium to Medium dark, aromatic, passion fruits, high tone cacao, Criollo varietal, sheer vanilla, Vanilla planifolia, almond flower as a top note, mellow, mild flavor, medium body, rich, smooth texture, well balanced sweetness and bitterness, creamy, condensed milk, matured & rich sweetness, Amazake, hazelnuts syrup, mellow bitterness, malt, clear but mellow sweetness as a long lasting aftertaste.
Beans: Lima Kibo
Roaster: Home roasting
Roasting Degree: City
Origin/Area: Mbeya, Tanzania
Grade: AA Kibo
Screen: 18
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,600m around
Variety: N39 (Bourbon)
Process: Washed
【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 4
Sweetness: 4
Acidity: 4
Bitterness: 3
Richness: 4
※Grade 1 to 5
【Impression】
Medium dark, fruity, blackcurrants, gooseberries, blackberries, light touch of white grape fruits, juniper as a sheer top note, fruity, juicy, rich, heavy but well balanced, layers of sweetness, soothing and clear, white grapes, bilberry, deep sweetness, molasses, amber maple syrup, cacao nib like bitterness, carob powder, lime skin like top note, matured sweetness, dried figs, apricot, rich mouth-feel as a long lasting aftertaste.
【Note】
2014 harvest is one of the best, gift from Southern part of Tanzania to all African flavor fans. Earthy but flavorful, and full flavored ever.
