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Showing posts from September, 2017

Big House Beans Guatemala Pacamara

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   Today I bring you a very tasty bean from Big House Beans. Big House roasts out of Antioch, California. Big House Beans Specialty Coffee Roasters not only sources and roasts the best coffees out there, but seeks to provide opportunities to anyone who has a vision for their future and a heart to work hard. As a former San Quentin prison inmate, John Krause, Owner and Founder, knows of the challenges life can throw at you. After reentering society and finding hope again in a like minded community, he decided to build a sustainable business model to empower others who like him, fight to fit the mold. After starting Big House Beans in 2014 John has sought to employ those with barriers. Now, his goal is to put together a solid executive team who will take on the task of mentoring future employees and allow them to advance in their professional and personal life. His vision is to deliver high quality coffee and service to individual customers or companies who become partners in the

Bona Fide Bean Guatemala

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   Here I have the third & yet another amazing bean from Bona Fide Bean Coffee. Bona Fide Bean Coffee Co. is a hands-on, quality-focused coffee roaster out of Vaughan, Ontario. Their philosophy is simple; they roast for good. Their approach to sourcing and cupping coffee allows them the platform to harness the best features of the beans and showcase the coffee producers. They believe every coffee has a story and a personality, so they aim to source their beans with traceability and transparency. They concentrate their efforts on mastering and executing the craft of roasting.    This is their Guatemala bean. A washed bean from the Huehuetenango Region. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. Bonafide notes flavors of molasses, red wine, chocolate, & grapefruit. This was an interesting cold brew. Nice acidity. Sweet & floral. Black cherries & chocolate. Tasty.    Many thanks to Anna & Bona Fide for the terrific beans. Check them out here:   www.bonafidebeancoffe

Thousand Hills Ruli Mountain

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   Today I present to you a coffee from the people over at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee. In April 1994, Rwanda experienced one of history's most atrocious genocides. The genocide that left so many innocent people either dead, orphaned, or widowed has now become a focal point of the global community. In 2005, Jonathan Golden, founder of Land of a Thousand Hills, recognized an opportunity to make a difference in the reconciliation of the Rwandan people. This realization led Golden to start a coffee company that pays a fair wage to the farmers of Rwanda, helps them with their basic needs, and brings a quality product to coffee lovers. Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Co. partners with farmers and local community leaders to develop the coffee into a sustainable income, pay a just Living Wage, and strive to further meet the needs of the people. When you buy Land of a Thousand Hills, you are receiving coffee that is 100% Arabica, fairly traded, and roasted fresh.    This is the

White Tale Oreti

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   Here I have the 3rd bean I've featured from White Tale Coffee. White Tale's story begins in Columbia, where 3 boys met as children. As they got older and reconnected through social media, they realized they all had a common connection through coffee. They realized they were uneducated in where that coffee came from, so they vowed to learn more where the coffee came from, whose hands it touched, what communities it supported, and its journey from farm to cup. White Tale Coffee takes the finest responsibly sourced beans from around the world and roasts them fresh. They curate stories from farmers and their families and share them with us, and they deliver it all to our door with simple subscriptions. White Tale brings people closer to their coffee.    This is their Oreti offering. A washed Kenyan Light Roast bean. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. White Tale notes flavors of grapefruit, lychee acidity, and chocolate. Definitely tasting and digging the grapefruit here. Al

Batch Craft 75% Coffee + Nib

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   Haven’t posted any chocolate reviews in a while and this one is definitely past due. So on this lazy Sunday, as I watch my Kansas City Chiefs, here’s one for the masses.     Here’s another bar I’ve featured from Batch Craft. This is one of 3 bars Batch Craft put out this year. Their limited edition chocolate bars feature origin-inspired ingredients discovered during their recent trip to Ecuador. Using nutty, floral cacao from Ecuador’s famed Camino Verde, this is their 75% Coffee + Nib. It is made with a sprinkling of gently ground Ecuadorian coffee beans atop a crunchy layer of roasted Camino Verde cacao nibs. Batch Craft’s chocolate is very tasty. Nice and smooth. And their choices of inclusions are top notch and pair very well with themselves and the chocolate they make. They are currently sold out, but their bars could possibly still be found in surrounding Carolina stores.     Many thanks to Batch Craft for the amazing chocolate bars.  Here's their tasty ch

Alabaster Rayos Del Sol

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   Here I present the 2nd bean I've featured from Alabaster Coffee. Alabaster Coffee is a nationally award winning micro-roaster + coffee bar located in Williamsport, PA. Established in 2010, they are a small, family owned business seeking to make a difference both locally & globally. People matter to them and they do their best to respect every person involved in the process of getting coffee from the seed to your cup. This means they know their producers & visit their farms as they are able, partnering with them and paying premium prices for what they believe are some of the best coffees in the world.     This is their Rayos Del Sol bean. A washed bean from the San Ignacio Region of Peru. Bordered by the protected forest of Sanctuario Tabaconas Nambalie - "Cerro el Tigre", high up in the mountains of Ilhuamaca lies Finca Los Rayos del Sol. The area in and around the sanctuary is known for its high biodiversity and exceptional scenic beauty. I brewed thi

Boil Line Peru El Ciprez

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   Here's the second bean I've featured from Boil Line Coffee. I was able to visit them on my work trip out to Pennsylvania last month. Boil Line Coffee Company is a coffee roaster, located in Danville, PA, the heart of the Central Susquehanna River Valley. Boil Line uses the best roasting and brewing equipment, trains their team frequently to keep their skills honed, and source coffee that they can serve with quality assurance. From working with the coffee importers to guarantee the integrity of the product, to customer relationships being built over time, they take coffee roasting seriously. Their roasted coffee offerings include both blends and a rotating selection of single-origin coffees from around the world, including Papua New Guinea, Peru, Ethiopia, and more.    This is their Peru El Ciprez. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. Boil Line notes a bright and light cup with raspberries. This was a nice light cold brew. Not too harsh, but nice citrus acidity. Oranges, g

Bona Fide Ethiopia

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   Here I have another amazing bean from Bona Fide Bean Coffee. This is the 2nd bean I've featured from Bona Fide and they both have been stellar. Bona Fide Bean Coffee Co. is a hands-on, quality-focused coffee roaster out of Vaughan, Ontario. Their philosophy is simple; they roast for good. Their approach to sourcing and cupping coffee allows them the platform to harness the best features of the beans and showcase the coffee producers. They believe every coffee has a story and a personality, so they aim to source their beans with traceability and transparency. They concentrate their efforts on mastering and executing the craft of roasting.    This is their Ethiopia, Sidama bean. A naturally processed bean from the Hagermaryam, Guji Region. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. Typical of most natural Ethiopians, I loved this bean. Fruity. Juicy. Bright. Lots of berries; strawberry & blueberry. Nice chocolate notes. Super legit cold brew!    Many thanks to Anna & Bona F

Buzzsaw San Diego

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   Here I have the second bean from Jesse & Buzzsaw Coffee Roasters. Buzzsaw Coffee Roasters is based out of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Buzzsaw aims to bring out the best in each coffee that they roast. Their goal is to provide a delicious, approachable cup and honor the hard work of the farmers who provide us with such great products. Currently, their coffee is available at the Sawhorse Cafe in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.    This is their San Diego, Costa Rica bean. A honey processed bean from TarrazĂș Costa Rica. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. This was a delish cup of cold brew. I love natural and honey processed beans. Nice juicy body. Wildflower, honey sweetness. Apricot, dried fruits. Super tasty!    Thanks again to Jesse & Buzzsaw for the tasty beans. Some great coffee coming out of Williamsport, PA. #trumancoldbrew #trumanhistoricdistrict #kyotocoldbrew #kyotocoffee #kyotodrip #kyoto #coffee #coffeebean #coffeelife #coldbrew #coldbrewcoffee #coffeelover #cof

Abracadabra Gigesa, Ethiopia

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   Today I have a super tasty bean from Abracadabra Coffee Co. I typically paraphrase roasters stories on their 'About Us' sections, but Abracadabra's is just too good not to hear it right from them. "GIVE A DAMN"  About everything. Always. Seriously. Not just about the music and art you like or the magic you’re into. These obviously matter, but also in your direct and indirect relationships and interactions with other human beings. Yep, these are beans roasted by some weirdos in Vermont who give a damn every damn day. We support the farmers that grow the best coffee in the world, roast that coffee with insane attention to detail, and package it in biodegradable and recyclable material. So drink that liquid magic and continue on your day, givin' a damn about the whole damn world." Good stuff.     This is their Gigesa, Ethiopia. A washed bean from the Gigesa Washing Station. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. Abracadabra notes flavors of Honey Suckle