August 2012 Bean Swap

shape_shifter

I have beans waiting for me at work, I got a photo today   My workmate said 'smells like coffee' :D Brett seriously no thanks needed, I love doing things like this, I don't mind being the admin person for our swaps, although yes I never get a surprise with the person that gets me in the swap it's still a surprise as to what their roasts are going to be

shape_shifter

My swap person did a blend and a single origin. Both smell great, the blend I'm told was just three of their favourite beans blended together as a 30/30/40 split.  The single origin is not an overly large bean and has some peaberrys in it, no idea what it is and can't place the smell yet. Both roasted on the 2nd August so I'd say right to start having a play with. The only problem I have is that I'm at work and I forgot my aeropress, the smell is driving me mad wanting to try them :D Blend in bag Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

UNM

as promised a couple photos of the swap beans I received next to one of my roasts. not sure how easy it is to see, but they are way darker Finished the blend this am. I had a short black and an espresso based long black. works best as SB or ristretto. no good through aeropress. OK as Greek. the aeropress had strong pipe tobacco and wood flavours/scents. as espresso long black, these were still there, but not so dominant. as SB, nicely balanced and full bodied. Crema settled down  as it aged. Roasted 27th, far better today than 3 days ago. don't feel capable of guessing the blend. some PNG perhaps? Indian maybe? next up the SO.

beanflying

Only had a chance to have one of my SecretSq Blends today but nice balance and good lingering finish. Only had it as an afternoon Latte but I will give it a bash tomorrow as long and short blacks and see about some notes.

derrilex

I'm just tasting the SO I sent away - damn good if a little fresh still

Brett H

My wife and I are having an afternoon latte of Jeff's Columbian Supremo Papayan.  Yummy!!!  Mixed berries and Subtle GREEN APPLE! Thank you MyCuppa...this is just awesome.  I've had Lots of Comlumbians over the years but none this refined from memory. :thumb:

derrilex

I expect my beans to arrive to the swap buddy tomorrow - fingers crossed

madpierre

Mine arrived in the bag this morning ( a parcel which DIDN'T be intended for daughter dearest who has discovered online shopping)  :doh: ;D Bag 1 - Blend: Aromas of roasted peanut skin and choc-co/malt coming straight from the bag - can't wait to try it out in a couple days (roast date 4/8). Bag 2 - A.B.  :question:  Light/sweet fruity smells coming from the bag. Bag 3 - A.B.B. : Unsure on this one, may need to wait a couple days to get a hang on this. Best description I can give is 'exotic fruitiness'.  :coffee2: Thanks for the little extra there to Bottom Line. Cheers mate... :thumb:  Am going to hang on to the 7 day mark to try the two bonus bags, the blend will be given first run in the morning.

Tango

Tried to bag of Ethiopia Guji through the Aeropress - it tastes great but I think it might be better as an Espresso (quite a dark roast).  I won't have access to an Espresso Machine until the weekend so looking forward to trying it then!! Come on now, own up whoever these belong too!?

beanflying

[float=right][attachimg=1 width=400][/float] SS Blend LB this morning still smooth but a little more acidic than I like as a Long Black or Espresso. Improved in flavour as it cooled. No big notes stood out but a nice lingering coffee taste. Back to a few more milk ones after lunch now I have the grinder properly dialed in

shape_shifter

Right, because I want to get people talking more how about we open this all up, I know a few people still haven't got theirs but they shouldn't be too far away. BF already knows I got him due to my flu addled brain and I put down my real name. BF I was wanting to make this a low acid blend, I haven't tried it as a black yet and don't think I will after your comments, lots of frothy crema that looks like Obviously I know who sent mine, Lacehim, only roasted on the 2nd, I've tried the blend and it's ok but I do think it needs a little more time, I'm going to try the SO this afternoon.

beanflying

on 1344394348:

....... BF I was wanting to make this a low acid blend, I haven't tried it as a black yet and don't think I will after your comments, lots of frothy crema that looks like .....

Not a criticism of the blend about the acid but more a case of at this roast level with this blend it has a better balance for milk based coffees. To get this to a low or lower acid then maybe increase the roast depth a little more or even look at the individual beans and play around. Also make the point that it is not a sour but an acidic taste so a higher temp for brewing won't necessarily change or improve it on that front. With the little I will have remaining tomorrow morning I will pop it through a siphon and give it a whirl. Then on to the waiting for the S/O to mature  :coffee2:

shape_shifter

:D criticize away, I don't mind, the only way to learn. On that temperature part, I did actually try that and it didn't change

beanflying

[float=left][attachimg=1 width=250][/float] This afternoons post 7km walk with doggy Latte Artless Coffee. The lack of art is in direct proportion to the 9kg of shopping including the all important Beer and Milk I carried for half of that distance. Just confirming yep it works better this way over milk :thumb:

RichardM

Ok, first shot pour tonight of my partners "P2 SO". My swap partner included notes that it was "on the milder side". I had a fairly tight double shot in a 160mL latte tonight. It's more on the acidic side than bitter (nice balance of the acidity/cocoa notes though). It's a tad one dimensional (could be what the partner is referring to "mild"), but in no way tainted. I'll have this coffee for breakfast as an SO tomorrow and let the wife make comment as well. Even though short blacks aren't really my thing, I'm thinking I'll try this one as such just due to the mildness (though it might be too acidic to drink straight up, not sure).

WotB

Got a chance this morning to try the beans I received in the post yesterday.  No surprise who they were from, with name on the back (and a PM informing me they were sent). Bag#1 - Super: First thing I noticed when I opened the bag was robusta aroma.  Not put off at all, and proceeded to dial in the grinder for espresso (mind you, it's been about a good couple months since the machine has been used).  Loads of crema (about 1.5cm all up), would be interesting to see how it works with latte art (if one was so inclined - I'm not).  I'm not a milk-based drinker, so I took it neat.  If the aim of the roaster was to mimic an italian-style espresso, then they've done a good job of it.  My only complaint would be that it needs something else (I would like more fruit characters).  Would seem to me that this was meant to be paired with milk. Bag#2 - BH1: Dated 3/8 I figured it was a bit young but I gave it a go anyway.  Similar aesthetically to #1.  Palate was a bit confused on first taste.  Front end was fairly flat, but ascended towards the finish.  I tend to lean towards front-mid palate dominant characters.  I always see finish as an afterthought (usually pleasant, but not the main aim of a roast).  This roast is particularly focused in the finish.  It still may be early days, and require some more rest.

UNM

day two of bean swap SO roasted 29th July.  Had a run on coffees thus morning, by the time I did third, pour was spot on, but feedback from daughter two on her flat white was not even monosyllabic (she drank it in silence). Beans have quite a bit of oil spotting and are even darker than the blend.  Despite the roast depth, this one has less of the heavily roasted characteristics of the blend and gives a gorgeous pour as a ristretto. Enjoyed my short double ristretto just before heading out to walk the dog and the flavour lingered nicely. some citrus to this one and sharper than the blend, low sweetness. It reminds me of the Los Volcanes beans I got from mycuppa a while back. any road, both batches good as espresso and excellent to try someone else's roasts for comparison. might try a couple darker roasts just for espresso even though I do love my  lighter roasts through the aeropress.

WotB

Day 2 of tasting - Trying the super with milk (shock horror) as a double shot flat white.  This is exactly what the blend was made for.  Sweet and not overpowering, this particular coffee will appeal to the masses.  As suggested, the crema was made for latte art and thankfully none magically appeared, much to my relief.

Brett H

on 1344484915:

Day 2 of tasting - Trying the super with milk (shock horror) as a double shot flat white.  This is exactly what the blend was made for.  Sweet and not overpowering, this particular coffee will appeal to the masses.  As suggested, the crema was made for latte art and thankfully none magically appeared, much to my relief.

Wow, thank you mate for a brilliant assessment!  I was really intimidated roasting for a pro and you've articulated far better the characteristics of the roasts better than I could and would be interested to see how the BH1 develops if there is enough left.  Personally I am enjoying Jeff's Rwandan offering.  My wife said wow when presented it as a flat white and it is a truly delicious offering.  Almost like a chocolate orange as a double ristretto flat white.  I've never had any Rwandan coffee so thank you Jeff for this marvelous treat.

Lacehim

So who was my swap partner?  I would be really interested in what the beans are, and how they where roasted.  Certainly different to the way I roast, which is quiet dark. Love the SO so far with milk, but haven't got around to anything else with that yet.  Currently drinking the blend as a Americano at the moment and it's certainly better suited to my taste buds that way.

beanflying

I knew there was a reason the chat log scrolled out after 100 posts or you might have found out earlier :stir Tried the last of my SS blend as a Siphon and nope best as milk still

Lacehim

on 1344497416:

I knew there was a reason the chat log scrolled out after 100 posts or you might have found out earlier :stir

Both you and Jonty said it wasn't you, so that gave me no clue! So, any info re the beans / roasting profile?

hazbean

Beans arrived today, looking slightly pummelled by AusPost but not enough to quell the delightful aromas wafting forth.  Two bags, 1 and 2. Got home too late for a brew (too much work) but chewed up a few, a pleasant piquancy on the tip of the tongue. A couple were a bit "funky", wonder what they could be. Interesting

shape_shifter

Sooo who hasn't got beans yet? I haven't had any word as to whether derrilexs' swap partner has received his but I know they were sent by derrilex a week ago so hopefully today is the latest they should arrive. Tangos should be with him today fingers crossed.

Tango

I've got mine already SS?!

derrilex

on 1344552091:

Sooo who hasn't got beans yet? I haven't had any word as to whether derrilexs' swap partner has received his but I know they were sent by derrilex a week ago so hopefully today is the latest they should arrive. Tangos should be with him today fingers crossed.

I think G might have fallen of the end of the earth

lemoo

I've got mine already and they're really good! unfortunately my palate isn't good enough to distinguish what beans are in there but i do know it pleases my taste buds!lol nice syrupy pour with good body!

madpierre

Tried the blend this morning....excellent! A lovely drop as a short black, medium acidity and very smooth across the palate. Good body, with hints of fruityness and a sweet malt/honey  (best I could come up with for that one) tinge. Very strong through milk, my wife was most impressed also.  It is beyond me to even guess what was in this.  :coffee2:  :thumb:  :thumb:

Koffee_Kosmo

Almost to the end of the bag of my swap partners beans Left them to rest a little more and sampled them daily Still have enough for approx 3 doubles left Now assessment time It's a mellow blend and fairly well balanced blend However no individual flavours jump out at the taste buds It would suit as a good to great cafe blend The taste is very creamy with lots of Crema at the spouts and cup Overall a nice cup What is my guess of the beans in this blend ? I suspect as noted on an earlier post that I feel is has Monsooned Malabar, PNG pea berry and an Indonisian unless the pea berry sized beans are a Malawi Taste comments by others What Derrilex said of the blend while on a visit - it's creamy and nice and has a mild coffee strength of flavour What my wife said - it's very creamy and mild in taste but better than a lot of cafe offerings What my daughter said - I like it better than yours dad as its not as intense My assessment followes what others have observed so far I will post again and report  again after the last of the beans have been consumed KK

shape_shifter

oooo madpierre, I might have to convince your swap partner to send me some too