Aquila Polar Dawn Blend



   Today I feature a bean from far, far away. This is a bean from Aquila Coffee Works based out of Anchorage, Alaska. For Mike, coffee has always been there; in the background. An integral, yet (sometimes) small, part of his life. Whether it was a cup of stiff black stuff given to him as a small boy in hopes his asthma attack would subside or brewed up in a pan around a campfire and shared with good friends – coffee has always been there. Aquila Coffee Works came from these experiences and the passion they ignited. These humble beginnings are the bedrock of what they are all about; great coffee should be accessible. Their roasts are born out of patience and attention to detail. They avoid automated roast profiling, putting their faith in the human elements of patience, sight, and smell; coaxing the perfect flavor from each and every bean. By sourcing the best beans, roasting small batches with care, and providing us with the knowledge to brew the perfect cup at home, they know that their coffee will be part of all our integral (big and small) moments.

   This is their Polar Dawn Blend. A blend of 3 beans, this was quite the complex coffee. The beans involved are: a honey processed Colombia, a semi-fermented wet process Nicaragua Jinotega, and a natural Ethiopia Yirga Cheffe. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio, but thinking I'll try my 1:8 ratio next time (usually reserved for darker roasts & geishas). Just to see what kind of punch I can pack in to this blend. Aquila notes flavors of dried fruit, toasted nuts, chocolate, & molasses. This was a mouthful. I typically prefer single origins over blends, but this was very tasty. All the specific flavor profiles were able to come through. Very fruity; dark fruits & stone fruits. Plum, peach, apricot, black cherry. Nice dark honey-like sweetness. Chocolate in there as well. Nice full & complex cold brew. 

   Many thanks to Mike & Aquila for the tasty beans. Alaska was one of the missing states on my map, so props to Mike to allow me to cross "Alaska" off the list!

Go check out their goodness here:  aquilacoffeeworks.com



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