My Christmas blend

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My Christmas blend

Postby Sunnyfield » Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:35 pm

I have done my roasting today, so that it will peak on Christmas and Boxing Day. I call it my Christmas blend, although there is nothing special about it. No cinnamon or cranberries! :lol:

Brazilian Bourbon + Harrar + Malabar + Sumatra Lintong + Indian Robusta,
33:17:17:23:10

Bourbon: Base 1 - touching 2nd crack
Harrar + Malabar: Base 2 - touching 2nd crack (Malabar a bit pale)
Lintong + Robusta: High note(?) and crema - into 2nd crack somewhere

You see, all very scientific - ahum. I have no idea what to expect from the Lintong. It said Sumatran, so I associate it with bright Indonesian beans. :oops:

I am trying to time my roasts a little bit lighter, but I am scared of stopping the roast too early. I don't feel confident enough I guess.

TBC!
La Marzocco GS/3, Elektra Nino, Feima 800N solid drum gas roaster
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Postby phil » Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:43 pm

Bright??? Indonesians??? HIGH NOTE????????

You're joking I hope.

Bottom end. Chocolate. Earthiness. Body.

That is going to be one big, flat blend. You're more likely to get high notes from the Harrar.

Disgusta? What ever happened to your principles Sunny? :lol:

(Actually I don't like calling you "Sunny" after someone reminded me of my age yesterday - not saying who :-( )
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Postby Sunnyfield » Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:48 pm

*scratching my head* what does my name have to do with your age? :?:

I feared as much... well a charbux blend then!

The rubber is an experiment. Only 10% sounds safe to me... ah well, I still have 5kg of beans left, so I can always chuck it away.

Merry Christmas!
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Postby phil » Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:54 pm

"Sunny" sounds like "sonny". Geddit?
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Postby Sunnyfield » Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:56 pm

ROTFLOL :lol: :!:
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Postby DrZeus » Mon Dec 22, 2003 10:14 pm

And you have no problem calling me Doctor, right? :)
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Postby phil » Mon Dec 22, 2003 10:24 pm

Well now John, is that important to you?

Sorry, that was supposed to be my trick cyclist impersonation. Not too good was it?
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Postby DrZeus » Mon Dec 22, 2003 10:46 pm

Damn it, Phil! I'm a doctor, not a trick cyclist! (Sorry, my lame attempt at impersonating Bones on Star Trek).

BTW, I double-batched the very last of my Bolivian Organic yesterday. It's going to be our 'Christmas coffee' for the 24th eve/25th morning. Looking forward to it! I'm learning more about the other 6 varietals every time I roast, and they're just getting better and better -- although the Bolivian is still my favorite for the moka pot.

ME: That sure is some dem fine coffee!
WIFE: I Bolivia!
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Postby Sunnyfield » Tue Dec 23, 2003 9:39 am

Very British puns... The Sun would recruit you for their headlines on the frontpage, no doubt! :lol:

I did my first two double-shots this morning. I will try to describe what I tasted. Warm, round, full bodied, with a little bit of brightness/acidity (underroasted bean acidity), a bit of a buzz (robusta) and lots of dark chocolate. Hardly any bitterness or smoky flavours. Quite a pronounced gentle aftertaste that lingers pleasantly in the mouth for at least 10 minutes. I am very positively surprised once again. I know my tasting notes are very limited.

The most important things I learnt are:
1) Monsooned Malabar should not be overdone;
2) Robusta is OK, but no more than 10% for me. The robusta can give a pleasant kick to the espresso. I recognise it from most blends I have had before;
3) I still know nothing about blending, but it is lots of fun.
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Postby phil » Tue Dec 23, 2003 12:11 pm

Sunnyfield wrote:I still know nothing about blending, but it is lots of fun


To paraphrase the apocryphal little old lady in the art gallery, "I don't know much about blending but I know what I like".

Ermm, doesn't that mean that you do know about blending? You just need to learn from experience what to blend to achieve the effects you like, and how to roast the coffees involved to get there.

Repeat after me : "Indonesians are not high-note beans,..."

And yes it is fun. Loads of it. If you're an out-and-out coffee freak that is.

Guilty as charged M'lud. :lol:
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