Have you tried...?

[Gouezeri]

I'm carrying on recent threads regarding where we all get our beans and what we are particularly keen on at the moment. So, if you've tried something recently (either green or roasted) and you think other people might enjoy it, drop us a few lines here Recommendations from the usual supects is fine, but if you've found something special from a new source, do share with the rest of us and it may even allow us to update our coffee resources section to the benefit of us all.
Just to get the bean rolling, though not very original... I'm currently enjoying some...
Bolivian Organic (from HB): Good looking med size Green, very little chaff and a very even roast (11 min I-R, City). In the cup, it's milk chocolate all the way and a gentle acidity(not tried blending with it yet).
Brazil Daterra Sweet Yellow (dodgy footie shirt man again): Smaller size Green, not as regular shape, medium chaff (11 1/2min, F City). In the cup, great sweetness, lovely apple high notes (a little citrus) with a delicate nutty underneath, not heavy, but nice and rich.
So come on then, share your little finds (definitely doesn't have to be just from the UK)
D

[CakeBoy]

Bear in mind that I buy roasted:

From HB - Columbian Relationship "El Quebradon"; Nice caramel and nutty undertones. Rich and flavoursome with a light smokey aftertaste. Premium Espresso Blend; A lovely Northern Italian roast (edited, cheers Dom) with a perfect mix of richness and acidity. El Salvador "La Fany Bourbon"; A nice coffee with more acidity than my favourite Columbians, and a rounded rich flavour that appeared quite nutty from memory.

From H&V - Columbian Relationship "La Cacica"; Very sweet, more caramel than "El Quebradon" and less aftertaste. My Nan likes this one a lot in capps. Thought it deteriorated quite quickly. Flavours noticably disappearing 5 days after receiving it.

From Red Monkey - I have tried their sampler pack and some of them were very good. Unfortunately it was a while ago now, but I remember thinking one or two roasts were a little too dark for my liking (not Charbucks level though!).

[phil]

I tried a "test marketing sample" of an espresso yesterday at Lord Voldemort's place.

Probably something that won't make it to market, but a blend of East African (but not Kenyan!) and El Quebradon that had all four of us going "wow! what a wake-up call".

I'm being cagey about the exact make-up because:

1. He-who-must-not-be-named might try to zap me with a "Crucius" curse (:wink:)
2. I think you do need a really good machine (like our Spazios) pulling at the warmer end of the spectrum to appreciate it.

Assuming I live through this post though, I think this stuff is "wow" material (but probably a bit too special to be commercially viable)

[CakeBoy]

No Kenyan - what a surprise . Is it all round to Phil's place to sit around the Spazio then?

[Gouezeri]

but probably a bit too special to be commercially viable

If people are willing to drink cat poo, you never know!
Dare I ask, nothing from any other sources Phil ? (we should be embarrased, we really should )

[MKSwing]

From HB : Green Ecuador Vilcabamba “valley of longevity”.
Very very good, one of the finest I tested so far.

[jameso]

It would have to be Gethumbwini and the Cacheoira that are my favs. Oh dear, I'm sounding brain-washed

I've also just roasted and tried Steve's CR Laguna. Anyone else tried it and tasted apple in there? If so, which one - I'd go for a Granny Smith myself. A rather nice surprise I thought.

Other suppliers - the only other greens I've tried are from Coffee Studio, where I bought my IMEX. They only have ten varieties of green, with very little info on them. The same greens they had a year ago. Little things that don't reassure - like saying that a coffee is "Cup of Excellence" (in this case a Brazil), but with no mention of a year, score or rank. But... - their Lekempti has some unusual dry spiced tones that went well in a blend. (Bit too much on its own, although may not be with a Full-Tisri, sorry- Full-City , or darker).

[simonp]

Premium Espresso Blend; A lovely Southern Italian roast

Surely you mean a Northerm Italian roast. I think doing a real dark oily southern roast would go against Steve's religion

[simonp]

I tried a "test marketing sample" of an espresso yesterday at Lord Voldemort's place.

Probably something that won't make it to market, but a blend of East African (but not Kenyan!) and El Quebradon that had all four of us going "wow! what a wake-up call".

I'm being cagey about the exact make-up because:

1. He-who-must-not-be-named might try to zap me with a "Crucius" curse (:wink:)
2. I think you do need a really good machine (like our Spazios) pulling at the warmer end of the spectrum to appreciate it.

Assuming I live through this post though, I think this stuff is "wow" material (but probably a bit too special to be commercially viable)

That certainly was a "wakeup" espresso. I'm not a fan of bright blends generally, but that one was really nice, lots of orange peel. Like you say Phil, I'm not sure how it would pull in something like my Silvia, which does favour lower acidity blends, and a slightly darker roast.

[tisri]

Just working through a bag of the Daterra at work and it's truly heavenly. I started a coffee syndicate at work where a few of us chip in and buy a different bag each week and the Daterra is the latest, and scored a thumbs-up from all of us!

[simonp]

I have some very fresh Smith's farm Kona which I'm keen to try, I'll post my thoughts here.

[Gouezeri]

People. If you have managed to source these beans from anywhere outside of Staffs, you might want to mention it as well!
Ta
D

[simonp]

Ooh, I have some Liquid Amber espresso blend green from Sweet Marias (in the USA). This is something similarish to Malabar gold, but, in my opinion much nicer. I found the MG too harsh, too much bite, and not sweet enough for my taste, but the SM stuff is much sweeter and the bite is more restrained. Goes nicely with milk.

[CakeBoy]

Premium Espresso Blend; A lovely Southern Italian roast

Surely you mean a Northerm Italian roast. I think doing a real dark oily southern roast would go against Steve's religion

Yup you are right! Got my north and south transposed. Will edit for continuity, cheers

[jameso]

If you have managed to source these beans from anywhere outside of Staffs

Quite agree - we should all support local industry by buying our beans from our nearest supplier.
Now, let me see, where do I need to go? Ah, yes - you know who you are.