A coffee diary

Over the past few months, I’ve been getting more properly into coffee, with my French press.

As suggested by the title, I was writing down my thoughts as I was trying the coffee, which means that later I’m going to keep adding to this same post as I try new types (even though I’ve got a favourite for now). 

Lavazza Rossa: A blend of Brazilian Arabica and African Robustas. Smells good, tastes all right, with hints of chocolate. Good start for someone just getting into coffee (and setting off to become a coffee snob—can’t wait!).  

Uganda – The Coffee Gardens from Curious Roo: Arabica (Nyasaland varietal). The tasting notes are said to be mango, cherry liqueur, dark chocolate. The first impression was that it tasted a bit odd. After I changed the dosing, I enjoyed it much more though it’s still a bit odd, a mixture of tastes—perhaps this is what the connoisseur would call “an interesting taste”. 

Dragon (Brazil) from Dark Arts: A mixture of varietals, Arabica or hybrid. The tasting notes are said to be roasted almond, raisin, caramel. Much slighter taste than the Ugandan coffee. I’ve sampled this twice, after the Ugandan coffee from Curious Roo and after the Nicaraguan coffee (Mask of the Mire) from Dark Arts, and think the best option would be 5 tablespoons for 2 cups. Tastes better at 6, but has too much caffeine. I probably shouldn’t be writing about these things when I’m making coffee without a scale and still experimenting with dosing. 

Eternal Light (Colombia) from Dark Arts: Arabica (Yellow Bourbon and Caturra). The tasting notes are said to be blood orange, apricot, Earl Grey. Sharper and more acidic than the other coffee I have tried, which reminds me of the sour coffee in Norway. Best option is 5 tablespoons for 2 cups, with a bit more milk. 

Waterfall (Colombia) from Dark Arts: Arabica (Caturra). The tasting notes are said to be strawberry, black cherry, dark chocolate. Acidic. Best option is 4 tablespoons for 2 cups, a bit slight; more than that, you get a nasty aftertaste. I’m slowly getting all the different kinds of coffee confused, but I’m not really a fan of this one. 

Mix of Eternal Light and Waterfall: All right.  

Don Domingo (Colombia) from Hermanos: Arabica (Castillo). The tasting notes are said to be dark chocolate, caramel, marmalade, red grape. Best option is 5 tablespoons for 2 cups. This one is all right, less acidic than Eternal Light and Waterfall, though there’s a slightly bitter aftertaste I don’t particularly like. 

Catnip (Ethiopia) from Dark Arts: Arabica (74110, 74112). The tasting notes are said to be jasmine, apricot, candied lemon. Smells good, tastes good (4 tablespoons for 2 cups). I like this, otherwise would be disappointing as Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. Doesn’t taste acidic and doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste like Colombian coffee. This is my favourite so far.  

Mask of the Mire (Nicaragua) from Dark Arts: Arabica (Parainema, Red Catuai) and hybrid (Sarchimor). The tasting notes are said to be dates, roasted almonds, caramel. I can smell almonds. This one is all right and doesn’t have high acidity or a bitter aftertaste, but it also doesn’t have strong flavours. This one or Dragon (Brazil) might be my second favourite.