India Elephant Hills Monsoon and Colombia La Esperanza Red Heirloom Bourbon,

Dry_bean. · May 2016

Recently purchased a few kilo's each of India Elephant Hills Monsoon and Colombia La Esperanza Red Heirloom Bourbon, I really like the EH and the Colombian sounds like it should combine with it nicely.

Two days ago I roasted a batch of 725 grams 50% of each, will trial it around the end of the week and report back.

Couldn't wait, tried it yesterday afternoon.

What can I say! my expectations were well and truly exceeded, to say this was a god shot would be an understatement.

18 grams in, approx 40ml out, monstrous crema, viscous syrupy pour, big chocolaty winey flavour, unbelievably complex and an after taste I'm still enjoying 10 minutes later, without doubt the best espresso I've had in years.

I'm not normally a person given to superlatives, however, this was spectacular.

And only 36 hours after roasting, it can only improve over the next week or so.

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

You've convinced me, I ordered some of the EH this morning :coffee2:.

Dry_bean. · May 2016

Not really trying to convince anyone Sue! just relating my personal experience. Others have commented that EH does not suit their palate, taste is a funny thing, ain't it? :-|

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

Eh, I'm always up for trying something new :P. I grabbed some Honduras Montana de Comayagua as well. I haven't ordered from him before so hopefully all goes ok.

Dry_bean. · May 2016

on 1462935979:

Eh, I'm always up for trying something new :P. I grabbed some Honduras Montana de Comayagua as well. I haven't ordered from him before so hopefully all goes ok.

The Honduras sounds interesting Sue, think you will find the online ordering experience spot on, I know they cop a lot of criticism, however they do supply quality beans, well packaged and I have found dispatch once payment is received to be prompt, have tried all of the others and keep returning.

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

I hope so DB. I paid via Paypal so they should have got the $$ straight away. Oh well, no real hurry I have more than enough here to keep me going for a while.

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

Sheesh, I only ordered a couple of hours ago and it has shipped already.

Kevohere · May 2016

on 1462941065:

Sheesh, I only ordered a couple of hours ago and it has shipped already.

Okay DB &CB, maybe I'm missing something here. Maybe there's been some Pee-eMming going on behind the scene? Because for the life of me I cannot find who the "they" is you have both mentioned in this thread! Is it because that "they" are a non-sponsor? I'm in the market for some of that Colombian myself.

Dry_bean. · May 2016

on 1462942716:

Okay DB &CB, maybe I'm missing something here. Maybe there's been some Pee-eMming going on behind the scene? Because for the life of me I cannot find who the "they" is you have both mentioned in this thread! Is it because that "they" are a non-sponsor? I'm in the market for some of that Colombian myself.

PM sent Kevo.

Dry_bean. · May 2016

on 1462941065:

Sheesh, I only ordered a couple of hours ago and it has shipped already.

Told ya they were pretty switched on.

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

on 1462944484:

Told ya they were pretty switched on.

Indeed you did

. Can I ask what shipping option you usually go with?

Dry_bean. · May 2016

on 1462945052:

Indeed you did . Can I ask what shipping option you usually go with?

Regular Australia Post Sue, I order sufficient to drop it below $2 per kg, hence the 16 kg order.

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

I went with Fastways, I know from past experience they are not overly fast at times but I am in no hurry. I have plenty roasted for the foreseeable and bags of unopened green too so waiting isn't really an issue.

Dry_bean. · May 2016

on 1462958978:

I went with Fastways, I know from past experience they are not overly fast at times but I am in no hurry. I have plenty roasted for the foreseeable and bags of unopened green too so waiting isn't really an issue.

Do they deliver to country SA, what was the cost per kg?

Cuir Beluga · May 2016

on 1462961444:

Do they deliver to country SA, what was the cost per kg?

Not sure DB, I didn't see it say they didn't. I just opted for the cheapest, it was $11.75 for 4.5 kgs, $2.60ish per kilo.

deegee · May 2016

on 1462929097:

Couldn't wait, tried it yesterday afternoon. What can I say! my expectations were well and truly exceeded, to say this was a god shot would be an understatement. 18 grams in, approx 40ml out, monstrous crema, viscous syrupy pour, big chocolaty winey flavour, unbelievably complex and an after taste I'm still enjoying 10 minutes later, without doubt the best espresso I've had in years. I'm not normally a person given to superlatives, however, this was spectacular. And only 36 hours after roasting, it can only improve over the next week or so.

I expect you're right about the improvement. I have not (yet) tried the monsooned Elephant Hills, but I do like that Colombian. I find that it improves noticeably for at least a week, or even more, after roasting. I'm a bit dissapointed with the latest batch, but it's my own fault. I slowed the roast in the browning stage, reducing the rate of rise, then returned to a normal pattern. It seemed to work OK, though it added about three minutes to the overall roast time. However, the end result is not up to what I have come to expect of this bean. It's now well over a week, and they are still very ordinary. On the same day, I did a batch of Peruvians the same way. They too are below par, and not getting any better. So I'm going have to go downstairs soon, and do another batch of each using my normal profile.

shewey · September 2017

I would be interested to hear other peoples thoughts on EH Monsoon. As a SO I found it a bit bland, almost cardboardy. I think it might be a good addition to a blend so I am starting to experiment with it. It certainly gives a nice creama. Cheers, Shewey

Lwowiak · September 2017

Hi Shewey, While there is a lot of good information on the site that sells these beans, you have to remember that it is a commercial business, and it is geared to promote only the products sold by the site and its sponsors. Bearing that in mind, there will be a lot of glorification. Personally, when I read some of these reviews, I make my up my own opinion as to their validity, very quickly. Have not tried the Elephant Hills Monsoon, but have roasted many kilos of Monsoon Malabar, and tried it from different roasters. While it increases the viscosity and crema, I don't think it adds the wow factor some try to force upon us. The beans differ from year to year, crop to crop. In general, Indian beans will give you body, sweetness and chocolate. So will many other bean types. As to complexity, this will be missing in a lot of Indian beans, unless you source some microlots. Indian beans are very nice in blends, and are popular because they are cheaper than Brazils. Colombian beans from La Esperanza are good quality and vary from crop to crop, and lot to lot. Some are exceptional, and so are their prices. Home roasting is a wonderful hobby that is highly addictive. It also enables you to try many types of beans that can sometimes only be sourced from a select few roasters, at high prices. This is where you enjoy the true savings in home roasting. PS, Welcome to the forum.

mycuppa · September 2017

I'd agree with most of what you are saying Lw, however, quality Indians are more expensive than Brazil's and currently by a decent differential. For the last 2 years, some importers have deliberately run a short strategy or even bypassed Indians due to excessive prices being asked. It depends on the segment of course, at commercial grades there is volume and price benefits. At specialty, it's expensive and difficult to source in decent quantities with other origins offering better cup value. We must remember that some really big European roasters lock up vast quantities of pretty good Indians years ahead, so what we (Australia) pick over is often the leftovers and cast offs. For some roasters, a quality Indian is the essential grunt in their blend. Monsoonal coffees by virtue of the processing method will lack complexity (namely many acids)......unless of course someone mistakes a bunch of traditional taints as complexity.........wouldn't be the first time something like that happened ....quite a few urban coffee legends were born and grew legs ! 😒

Brett H · September 2017

Brilliant posts Chaps and very... er.... nicely articulated LW especially in regards to the wank-lyrical that happens with cupping notes. MyCuppa had a wonderful article about this recently in his newsletter.

Simon · September 2017

on 1506581655:

I would be interested to hear other peoples thoughts on EH Monsoon. As a SO I found it a bit bland, almost cardboardy. I think it might be a good addition to a blend so I am starting to experiment with it. It certainly gives a nice creama. Cheers, Shewey

Ah I haven't yet tried it, but I'm really keen to. I love trying different and unique beans, and it's fascinating all the different processing methods and their subsequent effect on the bean and cup. I've roasted up lots of the India Elephant Hills AA (just did a batch the other day), and yeah I wouldn't call it complex, but I get heeeaps of caramel, choc, great body. Super sweet. But yeah I've heard mixed reviews of the Monsooned. Sounds interesting to me, but then again not sure if that's due to interesting development from processing method or due to defects.. I remember a cafe/roastery up in Torquay a few years ago I used to frequent alot, he specialised in South American single origins, and far out, some of the stuff was incredible... soooo different from coffees any other cafe were doing, I'd never tasted tobacco in espresso before haha. Only wish more cafes around got in beans like that! But yeah I could see how that wouldn't really go down with the majority being milk-based drinkers... And great info shared guys, it's interesting hey.

shewey · September 2017

Thanks for the replies guys, very useful information. You can never stop learning in this craft. :-)

samuellaw178 · September 2017

Hi Shewey, I have roasted some of the Indian Monsooned last month and still have some on hand. If you like comfort type roasts - smooth, chocolaty, heavy body, it can be a great hit. Has some of the Monsooned pungency as well and brews really strong/bold. Wouldn't call it bland necessarily but for sure it won't have loads of the light/fruity complexity. It does better roasted up to around 2C. Just don't take it light like you would for Ethiopians. Did that and it's horrible. :rofl: The regular non-Monsooned version is a lot 'blander' from memory and not as bold/strong (may be better as a base).

shewey · September 2017

That is a very good point, I roasted my EH monsoon reasonably light. I will do another batch and take it a bit further and compare the taste. Thanks for the advice. Cheers, Shewey

Koffee_Kosmo · September 2017

I have roasted monsooned beans in the past The notes I made were Heavy creama Buttery feel Needs longer rest / degas time for the real flavour to come forward Hides bad traits of other beans in a blend KK

askthecoffeeguy · September 2017

I've found the elephant hills monsoon beans to be quite idiosyncratic in the past - difficult to blend to get a good result and too "spicy" on their own when they're freshly roasted but they do seem to come into their own with a bit of age plus I tried a lighter roast for filter and at about two weeks post roast they came up exceptionally well in a pour over - those cheeky tricky little bsatrads ! p

Simon · October 2017

Ah wow.. that'd be bizarre in a filter roast with its particular characteristics, have to try that one day haha

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

India Elephant Hills Monsoon and Colombia La Esperanza Red Heirloom Bourbon,

Comments

foot

Policies

Social

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

In this Discussion

India Elephant Hills Monsoon and Colombia La Esperanza Red Heirloom Bourbon,

Comments

foot

Policies

Social