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Steve's new Colombian La Cacia Relationship Coffee

PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:20 am
by phil
What follows is my set of first impressions, formed in a rush this morning as I tried to taste this coffee and at the same time catch my usual train to work. I couldn't manage a full cupping under the circumstances, so the review is here on the forum for now.

OK Steve, you're right it's not as good as the La Manuela.

I only had time to form a quick impression as I was in my usual rush for the train, and something gave me a sneezing fit so my sense of smell was knackered at the critical moment.

That said, I roasted this one pretty much exactly as I did the La Manuela (see the review), to try and bring out that natural sweetness that is so nice about the best Colombians, and makes them CM's recommended "sweetener" in espresso (or so he told me when he sneered at my love of Ugandan Bugisu for the same purpose!). It was roasted around 7pm on Sunday, just after returning from the get-together at Steve's and having dropped Eward off at the station. I therefore tasted it at around 36 hours, which is a bit younger than I normally would go for - but I'm out of roasted!

I got Katie to smell the grounds for me (see above for why) but she couldn't find anything remarkable in the smell - "smells like coffee" she told me with that sort of disdainful shrug that only a 19 year old woman who really loves coffee but is struggling not to appear "geeky" can manage. I brewed in a press-pot as usual, using bottled Buxton water, which is my current favourite for brewed coffee.

The initial impression on tasting was of a lighter, slightly more acidic coffee than the La Manuela. The initial burst of floral notes which so delighted me with the La M was not present at all. The rich fatness and sweetness which I like in the good Colombians I've roasted was not present either. Interestingly though there were some slight citrus notes in the finish, and the finish was incredibly long. I got a sudden burst of "lemon peel" about thirty seconds into the finish at one point.

I understand what Steve means when he says "tastes like a Colombian". Yes it does, and it's perfectly agreeable, just not outstanding. It does have some interesting characteristics though, like the finish, and it definitely opens up as it cools.

I'll try again tomorrow, when the roast is a bit more mature. Hopefully I'll have more time to taste it properly then.

Phil

PostPosted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:39 pm
by phil
Footnote - Steve reminded me that this coffee was one of the ones we'd cupped at Mercanta. I recalled it as being lighter with more herbal notes.

Today I had another pot of this coffee. I caught a quick whiff of said herbal notes, but recalling the cupping at Mercanta I reckon this is one Colombian that could do to go a little lighter. I roasted it to just the very beginning of 2nd crack (my default roast for all new stuff and definitely for Colombians) but I think this one is slightly over-roasted at this level - at least if you want to get varietal flavours out of it rather than just an OK but not special "Colombian" taste.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 1:06 am
by Steve
Me and phil have very simular tastes (in coffee is all i can compare :) )I agree with him is a bit flat and nothing specatcular. Perhaps I've got used to Very good columbian and normal ok columbian doesnt do it for me yet.

I'd be intersted in what its like a little lighter, keep us informed phil

PostPosted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 1:09 pm
by DrZeus
I'm awaiting my order from Steve, and the Columbian La Cacia is part of it. Phil, I assume you used your Hottop on this? With air poppers, bright acidity tones are usually more pronounced, and complexity is subdued no matter what the profile is. What would you recommend I roast this one at?

PostPosted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:12 pm
by phil
Yes John I did use the Hottop. I don't have anything else (until I get that Probat L5 ... no I'm only dreaming :( )

There's not a huge amount of acidity in this coffee at Full City (just to the onset of 2nd) so maybe it's safe to roast it lighter. I intend to try it and find out - I'll contact Steve for some more to try.