For February 2017 India, Guatemala and Sumatra are the flavors we’re mixing.

INDIA ROBUSTA, INDIA – DARK ROAST
The Robusta bean is very hearty and resilient to weather, bugs, and disease, but its increased caffeine levels plus reduced lipid and sugar content as compared to the Arabica bean make the Robusta often taste like burnt licorice to blackstrap molasses. This bean is all percussion and no melody—woody, earthy, green bitter walnuts with a hint of molasses. This bean is best mixed with other beans to smooth out the taste. However, if you are at 7-11 around 2 am in the morning on a mid-night drive to LA, this coffee is much appreciated. Enjoy with a little cream and sugar.

Region: Coorg Districts, India
Altitude: 1200-1350 meters
Soil: Volcanic Loam

CENTRAL GUATEMALA – MEDIUM ROAST
Within the spectrum of medium roast we have a wide band from the first popping to the second popping. We let this Guatemalan roast go a little longer into the middle spectrum of the medium roast. We felt that flavors sharped with a little longer lasting taste across the tongue. The sweet cherry will taste a little sharper, and the toffee notes come through after the finish. If we roasted it closer to the second popping an oaky finish would develop. I like this coffee in the afternoon, not as rushed, a little slower drinking coffee, but still carries some caffeine punch. Enjoy around 2PM.

Region: Guatemala
Altitude: 1,950 meters
Soil: Clay minerals

SUMATRA RED – LIGHT MEDIUM ROAST
Sumatra is a classic go to coffee always smooth and when roasted light will have a sweet citrusy taste. However, when roasted dark, you’ll taste chocolate dipped dried cherries with a burnt brown sugar finish. Sumatra coffee will evoke a complex earthy, strong floral, and aromatic floral notes with a sweet quick citrusy finish. Excellent morning coffee as you get going. Delicious from the moment it is brewed to the last sip, whatever temperature that might be.

Region: Desa Kerawat – Central Sumatra
Altitude: 1350 – 1500 meters
Soil: Red Soil / Mountainous

OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING – BLEND 321 STYLE
Each month as we deliver three unique beans from around the world roasted light, medium, and dark we also recommend a blend. This month’s blend is 123: 1 part India, 2 parts Guatemalan, 3 parts Red Sea.
The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own before adding sugar or cream.
The Sumatra roast brings the sweet notes, blended with the Guatemalan and India for the Caramel and licorice flavors.
Try all the roasts individually, appreciating each distinct flavor note. Next, venture out with our Blend 123 recommendation. Finally, blend them to your taste preference. Remember the lighter the bean the more caffeine, the darker the bean the more full body. For measuring the coffee by parts use a tablespoon, combine all parts in a burr grinder, and then give it a shake. Or you can mix the grounds after grinding.

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For the winter holiday season, we creating special roasts for our customers. We have picked two fantastic regions and farms for our beans. This month our flavors are from Guatemala, Bali and a special formulated blend by our Master Roast, Brian.

GUATEMALA HOLIDAY – MEDIUM ROAST
Within the spectrum off medium roast we have a wide band from the first popping to the second popping. We pulled this roast at the first popping so it’s on the lighter side of medium, but we are still going to call it a medium roast. The sweet cherry will taste a little sharper, and the toffee notes come through after the finish. If we roasted it closer to the second popping an oaky finish would develop, we will roast this one again for you in the future. Today we roasted it with the season of sweet fruity Christmas cheer.

BALI HOLIDAY – MEDIUM ROAST
A wonderful cup from just below the Equator, the Bali delivers classic citrus flavor from the citrus trees that shade its growth. We love the citrus undertones and strawberry watermelon nose that offer satisfaction throughout your cups temperature. Try it with a light twist of your favorite citrus and enjoy alongside a delicious breakfast pastry. Great breakfast cup of coffee with holiday friends and family.

HOLIDAY BLEND 322 – DARK, MEDIUM & LIGHT ROAST

This month we are including a blend that embraces the season sweet, fruity and full of cheer: our Holiday Blend is 322: 3 parts Columbia, 2 parts Bali, 2 parts Sumatra. The Sumatra roast brings the sweet notes, blended with the Bali and Columbia for the citrusy and baker’s chocolate flavors.

Most coffee blends are made by mixing various green bean varietals, then roasting together for a single type of roast. Coffee Method Blends are unique in comparison to others as our blends are comprised of individually roasted beans before mixing them together. We believe a true coffee blend should have at least 3 distinct bean colors, marking the various roasts. This method preserves the distinct notes from each bean and roast profile—resulting in a more complex nose from the variety of flavors.The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own without having to add cream or sugar.

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This month sees us mixing flavors from Ethiopia, Bali and Colombia.

ETHIOPIA YIRGACHEFFE – LIGHT ROAST
We really enjoy drinking coffee with a twist of tartness to it. This Ethiopian bean will bring a tart dried fruit note to your morning cup. On the first sip, you’ll notice the apricot fruitiness adding complexity to the flavor, while a mellow maple note finishes off everything smoothly. This Ethiopian bean remains a good light roast base bean for all our blends.

BALI BLUE MOON – MEDIUM ROAST
Upon tasting the Bali, we felt it went best at brunch time. A wonderful citrus cup of coffee coming from the citrus trees that shade its growth. We love the dark molasses undertones and pomelo nose. Try it with a light twist of your favorite citrus fruits. Enjoy this cup of coffee between brunch to midday, also we found it great over ice.

COLOMBIAN LICORICE BLEND – DARK ROAST
Personally, I think the Colombian bean is the best in the world at a dark roast, this month we have blended it ever so slightly: 4 parts Colombian and 1 part India Cherry. Both of these bean have been offered as single origin, but together they are a powerhouse of flavor. Colombian, with its mild malty sweetness and with a hint of licorice from the India Cherry bean creates a flavor we find rewarding in the morning.

OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING
Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, try our Blend 311 recommendation—3 parts Colombian Licorice, 1 part Bali and 1 part Ethipian. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. Keep in mind that the lighter bean has more caffeine, while the darker bean has a fuller body. Use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give them a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually.

Most coffee blends are made by mixing various green bean varietals, then roasting together for a single type of roast. Coffee Method Blends are unique in comparison to others as our blends are comprised of individually roasted beans before mixing them together. We believe a true coffee blend should have at least 3 distinct bean colors, marking the various roasts. This method preserves the distinct notes from each bean and roast profile—resulting in a more complex nose from the variety of flavors.The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own without having to add cream or sugar.

Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, try our Blend 311 recommendation—3 parts Dark, 1 part Medium and 1 part Light. The Red Sea and Rwanda roasts bring out the sweet notes, blended with the dark Colombia for a smooth baker’s chocolate and caramel finish. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. Keep in mind that the lighter bean has more caffeine, while the darker bean has a fuller body. Use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give them a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually.

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This month sees us revisiting the Red Sea Area, Rwanda and Colombia—the cooler weather has us reminisce the warmth of those regions, crave for hot chocolate and yearn for some cranberry.

RED SEA AREA (ETHIOPIA AND YEMEN) – LIGHT ROAST
The lighter the bean the more caffeine. Lighter roasts are high in caffeine and acid, this cup of coffee will hit your entire mouth immediately, jump starting your day with a jolt of caffeine. This time around we experimented a little more with the roasts. The fruity cranberry taste is still the signature flavor of the blend, with a hint of licorice and a handful of Columbia added into the blend in attempts to balance out the acidic bite.

RWANDA BOURBON KIVU LAKE – MEDIUM ROAST
This Rwanda selection boasts sharp tart cherry flavor with a surprising floral finish. Wait for the sweet vanilla and watch out for the flowery pop at the end in the corners of your mouth. We found this roast will hold its taste through all temperatures—from hot to cold. A great mid-day coffee, the cup starts hot in all its glory, but still boasts great flavors as it cools throughout the interruptions of the day.

COLOMBIA NARINO SUPREMO – DARK ROAST
This month the Colombian has a slight roast variation. If you pour the beans out on the table you will see two distinct colors—dark and light. The darker bean is roasted ‘French roast’ style to the level of shinny and oily. The lighter roasted bean, only by 20 to 30 seconds less, is referred to as ‘edge of oil’—just shy of a dark roast. We prefer this Colombian medley black as night, with its mild malty sweetness and long lasting finish. You’ll find the herbal nose reminiscent of lavender with a hint of plum on the palette. Our Colombian roast has a smooth baker’s chocolate bite with a mild nutty and caramel finish that skips like a stone across your tongue. It’s an excellent candidate for cold coffee as well.

OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING
Most coffee blends are made by mixing various green bean varietals, then roasting together for a single type of roast. Coffee Method Blends are unique in comparison to others as our blends are comprised of individually roasted beans before mixing them together. We believe a true coffee blend should have at least 3 distinct bean colors, marking the various roasts. This method preserves the distinct notes from each bean and roast profile—resulting in a more complex nose from the variety of flavors.The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own without having to add cream or sugar.

Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, try our Blend 311 recommendation—3 parts Dark, 1 part Medium and 1 part Light. The Red Sea and Rwanda roasts bring out the sweet notes, blended with the dark Colombia for a smooth baker’s chocolate and caramel finish. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. Keep in mind that the lighter bean has more caffeine, while the darker bean has a fuller body. Use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give them a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually.

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As we rolled into Fall, we headed down to Central America, visiting Guatemala and El Salvador for a full-mouth coffee experience. To satisfy our sweet tart craving, we added Yemen to our itinerary.

YEMEN MOKHA ISMAILI – LIGHT ROAST
In our pursuit of the sweet tart cranberry taste, both the Yemen and Ethiopian beans excel beyond the rest at a light roast. The sweet tart dried fruit flavors will hit your entire mouth immediately, jump starting your day. As with any light roasts, we recommend that you double up the filters to ensure maximum water-to-bean saturation.

GUATEMALA FINCA LA PASTORIA, BARBERENA – MEDIUM ROAST
Guatemala Rosma is a bean that tastes good throughout the entire roast spectrum from a light to dark. We found flavors and smells that excite all the senses, from honey-infused lemonade to toasted caramel nuts.

The perfect coffee drinking ritual in the morning is one that is uninterrupted; however, interruptions are a part of life. We found this roast palatable in temperature ranging from 200°F down to room temperature—with the fruity grape flavor opening up at the lower ranges. We would even recommend this roast for ice coffee. What to do with left over coffee in the pot? Freeze it in an ice cube tray and enjoy on a hot day with some sweet cream.

EL SALVADOR FINCA LAS ANIMAS – DARK ROAST
For those who appreciate the darker roasts of life, El Salvador Finca Las Animas is smooth and relaxing with a full-mouth experience for an easy drink. This is the relaxing weekend coffee, with friends and family, anytime of the day. From childhood memories the best flavor notes we could convey on this coffee is burnt brown sugar mixed with toasted walnuts.

OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING
In addition to each month’s three unique beans from around the world, we also recommend a blend of the dark, medium and light roasts. We call this month’s Blend 121—with 1 part El Salvador, 2 parts Guatemala and 1 part Yemen. The Yemen roast brings out the brown sugar sweet notes, blended with the Guatemala and El Salvador for the caramel and dark chocolate flavors. The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own without the need of adding cream or sugar.

Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, give our Blend 121 recommendation a try. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. For an evening cup of coffee with less caffeine, we suggest holding off the Yemen, and using a ratio of 2 parts El Salvador to 1 part Guatemala.

Keep in mind that the lighter roast has more caffeine, while the darker roast has a fuller body. To make the blend, use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give it a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix the grounds after grinding each bean individually.

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South America is on our minds this month, with Peru and Panama leading the light and medium roasts, while the all-versatile Kenya rounding up on the darker roast.

PERU HIGH-GROWTH, SAN MARTIN REGION – LIGHT ROAST
Roasting this bean through our roast spectrum, we have enjoyed it at each cupping. Soft, high-growth beans seem to taste best at a light roast today, but you will see this bean again at a medium roast and maybe a dark roast too. Boasting a soft tart jasmine tea flavor, with a mildly acidic lingering taste, this coffee is a slow cup best for slow mornings. Sometimes in our daily grind we get to drinking coffee too fast and we forget to pause—this roast is one you will want to pause and savor.

PANAMA BOQUETE, BARU VOLCANO – MEDIUM ROAST
Roasting this bean through our roast spectrum, we have enjoyed it at each cupping. Soft, high-growth beans seem to taste best at a light roast today, but you will see this bean again at a medium roast and maybe a dark roast too. Boasting a soft tart jasmine tea flavor, with a mildly acidic lingering taste, this coffee is a slow cup best for slow mornings. Sometimes in our daily grind we get to drinking coffee too fast and we forget to pause—this roast is one you will want to pause and savor.

ADDITION
Cocoa beans are about 3 times the size of coffee beans and will not go through the burr grinder easily. We recommend you crush them by giving them a quick pound with the bottom of your coffee mug before adding them to the grinder. We find that the addition of cocoa beans to your ground, instead of chocolate syrup, will add a nice subtle flavor of cocoa chocolate to your coffee. The cocoa beans included this month are very dark chocolate and not very sweet. They can be eaten on their own like a nut with shell and all, so you can add the entire bean to the grinding process.

KENYA NYERI HIRIGA AA – DARK ROAST
Our first month out, we showcased Kenya at a medium roast. At that time we discussed roasting Kenya at a light, medium and dark roast and calling it a straight month of Kenya coffee. Like the Peru, this coffee tasted great at each roast along our roast spectrum. At the dark roast, Kenya has a sharp, winey taste with a pronounced fruity undertone as it steps away from the medium roast flavors of toasted nuts and sweet caramel. Before the year ends, look for Kenya in a light roast, which will be a contrast to this month’s roast which produced a heartier cup of coffee.

OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING
In addition to each month’s three unique beans from around the world, we also recommend a blend of the dark, medium and light roasts. We call this month’s Blend 123—with 1 part Kenya, 2 parts Panama and 3 parts Peru. With a predominant ratio of the Peru, the sweet floral flavor of Jasmin tea leads the charge followed by notes of caramel and woody wines. The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own before adding cream or sugar.

Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, give our Blend 123 recommendation a try—in addition to adding the cocoa beans to the Panama. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. Keep in mind that the lighter roast has more caffeine, while the darker roast has a fuller body. To make the blend, use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give it a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually.

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We decided to visit some old friends this July. Our itinerary took us back to India, Brazil and Sumatra, but with a different roast spectrum that brought out some bitter sweetness both from chocolate and fruit.

INDIA CHERRY ROBUSTA, KARNATACA, INDIA – LIGHT ROAST
A few months back we sent out a sample of the India Cherry Robusta bean. We like to encourage coffee drinking without cream or sugar, but for this coffee, aka Truck Driver Special, we will look the other way if a little cream or sugar is required per your taste.

This bean boasts a good bitter caffeine punch at 2 to 3 percent more than the Arabica bean’s 1.5 percent caffeine. The Robusta bean is very hearty and resilient to weather, bugs, and diseases. Its increased caffeine levels plus reduced lipid and sugar content, as compared to the Arabica bean, make the Robusta often taste like burnt licorice to blackstrap molasses. This bean is all percussion and no melody—woody, earthy, green bitter walnuts with a hint of molasses. It is best mixed with other beans to smooth out the taste—the proportion depends on the caffeine hit desired.

BRAZIL MOGIANA ARABICA – MEDIUM ROAST
Brazil Mogiana at any level on our roast spectrum was found to be a crowd pleaser. Always smooth with full mouth experience that floats across the tongue. This is the relaxing afternoon coffee without morning caffeine acidic attitude. Transitioning from dark to medium roast, the Brazil Mogiana trades out some of its bitter baker’s chocolate taste in return for some smooth caramel notes.

SUMATRA RED BADGER – DARK ROAST
Sumatra is a classic “go to” coffee—always smooth and when roasted light, will have a sweet citrusy taste. However, when roasted dark, you’ll taste chocolate-dipped dried cherries with a burnt brown sugar finish. This is an excellent after dinner cup of coffee, low on the acid and smooth in the finish. Delicious from the moment it is brewed to the last sip, whatever temperature that might be.

BLEND 421 – OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING
This month’s blend is unique as we are blending Arabica and Robusta beans. You’ll have that dark full flavor taste to finish along with a good caffeine punch. We recommend a blend of 4:2:1—4 parts Sumatra, 2 parts Brazil, and 1 part India Cherry Robusta. The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own before adding sugar or cream. However, for this month, we understand if you want to add a little cream, sugar, or both to your coffee blend.

Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, give our Blend 421 recommendation a try—savoring the dried cherries dipped in chocolate, drizzled in caramel with a licorice molasses finish. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. Keep in mind that the lighter bean has more caffeine, while the darker bean has a fuller body. Use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give it a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually.

June takes us to Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Costa Rica, where the overarching note is citrus. The medium and dark roasts gave our taste buds a chocolaty finish.

ETHIOPIA YIRGACHEFFE – LIGHT ROAST
We really enjoy drinking coffee with a twist of tartness to it. This Ethiopian bean will bring a tart blood orange note to your morning cup. On the first sip, you’ll notice the apricot fruitiness adding complexity to the flavor, while a mellow maple note finishes off everything smoothly. Keep an eye out for Ethiopian bean offerings, we will revisit this area again.

RWANDA BOURBON KIVU LAKE – MEDIUM ROAST
We are really excited to offer the Rwanda coffee to you. We have tasted a lot of coffee and this one raises the bar for us. This Rwanda Bourbon Kivu Lake selection boasts tart cherry with a surprising floral finish.  Expect abundant chocolate and sweet vanilla, and watch out for the flowery pop at the end in the corners of your mouth. We found this roast to hold its taste through all temperatures as well—hot or cold.

COSTA RICA EL CEDRO – DARK ROAST
We love our coffee that trails with a chocolate flavor, and the Costa Rica El Cedro brings a slow unraveling cocoa flavor but with an unexpected twist of lemon in the finish. For those of you that enjoy the darker roasts of life, this coffee delivers.

BLEND 131 – OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING
In addition to each month’s three unique beans from around the world, we also recommend a blend of the light, medium and dark roasts. We call this month’s Blend 131—with 1 part Costa Rica, 3 parts Rwanda and 1 pars Ethiopia. The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own before adding cream or sugar. For this month, the Rwanda on its own is a great cup of coffee, but we wanted to frame it by elevating the tart citrus of the Ethiopia on the front end along with the smooth cocoa finish of the Costa Rica on the back end.

Try all the roasts individually to appreciate each distinct flavor. Next, try out our Blend 131 recommendation. Finally, venture out with your own blend according to your taste preferences. Keep in mind that the lighter bean has more caffeine, while the darker bean has a fuller body. Use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give them a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually.

This month, we were intrigued by the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Bali. We then jumped over to South America and visited Colombia. The notes spanned from citrusy to floral and nutty caramel.

SUMATRA RED BADGER – LIGHT ROAST Our Red Badger is a light roast with a classic smooth and slightly sweet citrusy finish. You’ll notice that it has mild cherry and floral notes and a pause that resembles pipe tobacco but backs off just as it unfolds to cocoa powder. This cup is excellent for the middle of the day with its low acid and smooth finish. Delicious from the moment it is brewed and more so as it cools.

BALI BLUE MOON – MEDIUM ROAST A wonderful cup from just below the Equator, the Bali Moon delivers classic citrus flavor from the trees that shade its growth. We love the dark molasses undertones and pomelo nose. Try it with a light twist of your favorite citrus fruits.

COLUMBIA NARINO SUPREMO – DARK ROAST We prefer this Colombian medley black as night, with its mild malty sweetness and long lasting finish. You’ll find the herbal nose is reminiscent of lavender and lemons with a hint of plum on the palette. Our Colombian roast has a smooth baker’s chocolate bite with a mild nutty and caramel finish that skips like a stone across your tongue. It’s an excellent candidate for cold coffee as well.

BONUS BEAN: INDIA CHERRY, KARNATACA, INDIA – MEDIUM ROAST Traditionally roasted dark for espresso, the India Cherry bean is used in many of our espresso mixes and delivers a velvety crema on each pull. The India Cherry is a Robusta bean, offering a good bitter caffeine punch at 2 to 3 percent more than the Arabica bean’s 1.5 percent caffeine. Today, the world over, 80% of the coffee we drink is Arabica and the rest is Robusta. The Robusta bean is very hearty and resilient to weather, bugs, and disease, but its increased caffeine levels plus reduced lipid and sugar content as compared to the Arabica bean make the Robusta often taste like burnt licorice. This bean is all percussion and no melody—woody, earthy, green bitter walnuts. This bean is best mixed with other beans to smooth out the taste. Experiment your second or third cup by adding a pinch to the grounds.

BLEND 212 – OUR RECOMMENDATION ON BLENDING In addition to each month’s three unique beans from around the world, we also recommend a blend of the light, medium and dark roasts. We call this month’s Blend 212—with 2 parts Columbia, 1 part Bali and 2 parts Sumatra. The goal of our blends is to create a cup of coffee that stands on its own before adding cream or sugar. The Sumatra roast brings out the sweet notes, the citrus from the Bali and the baker’s chocolate from the Columbia. Try each roast individually to appreciate its distinct flavor. Next, follow our Blend 212 recipe. Finally, venture out and add a pinch of the India Cherry to the grind for an extra jolt. Keep in mind that the lighter bean has more caffeine, while the darker bean has a fuller body. Use a tablespoon to measure out the coffee by parts and place into a burr grinder, then give them a quick shake. Alternately, you can mix them after each bean has been grind individually