A Smoke and a Brew

Dang, it is taking so long

smokeandbrew — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:46:44 +0000

I am not real good at getting things done. So…

when my roaster broke, I was down, still am. I will get it fixed soon I hope. All I need is inspiration.

Procrastination is tough, I will do something about it tomorrow though.

Sweet Marias strikes again!

smokeandbrew — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:40:44 +0000

My latest shipment from Maria’s arrived today. Below is a list with review notes from Tom@Sweetmarias

Brazil Coromandel – Fazenda Sao Joao
Intensity/Prime Attribute: Medium intensity / Sweetness, body, floral hint
Roast: For brewed coffee I have best results at City+, and Full City or FC+ for SO espresso
Sumatra Organic -Aceh District
intensity/Prime Attribute: Bold intensity / Rustic sweets, herbal and sweet hay accents.
Roast: FC, FC+, Vienna
Ethiopia Organic Limu (Indonesia-Process)
Intensity/Prime Attribute: Medium-Bold intensity / Unusual bright citrus flavors, funky sweetness
Roast: City+ roast is my favorite, but I found FC+ and Vienna to be intriguing too, whereas a Yirg. Falls apart at the darker roasts.
Kenya AA Nyeri – Gachatha Coop
Intensity/Prime Attribute: Medium-Bold intensity / Winey fruit, citrus peel, sweet.
Roast: I like City+ (expect dark surface bean color for corresponding degree of roast). This has darker roast character at the City + stage than you might expect. I felt the cup lost a lot of dynamic brightness at Full City + roast.
Kenya Muranga – Kianderi Peaberry No notes for this one, researching.
Panama Boquete Organic -Los Lajones
Intensity/Prime Attribute: Medium intensity / Clean, crisp Central character
Roast: City + (once again) is where you will experience the most of the aspects of this cup which make it so special. I thought my FC roasts of this coffee were too “roasty” and didn’t have the sparkle of the C to C+ cup.
Colombia Supremo 13353 Antioquia
Intensity/Prime Attribute: Medium-Bold intensity/ Classic Colombia bittersweetness and solid balance.
Roast: City+, Full City. The light roasts taste darker than you might expect.
Indonesia Flores -Bajawa Highlands
Intensity/Prime Attribute: Medium intensity / Balance, body
Roast: My review notes are based on a City+ and Full City roast, and yes, the FC+ single-origin espresso worked out great; very aromatic!
Now it is time for me to get Roastin’

Another Sampler

smokeandbrew — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:32:46 +0000

The SweetMarias DOUBLE 8-pack Sampler:
eight great coffees, 1 Lb. of Each

…a selection from Indonesia, Africa, S. America and Central America (our choice) -1 full Lb. of each.

I got one before, and have had a blast trying the different coffees and roasting them to different levels for different profiles. I am looking for a few beans that I can stick with to create my version of coffee heaven. Unfortunately, with only 8 verities under my belt, I am a long way from selecting a few to continue buying.

I will make a post, with what they have chosen to include in my sampler, as soon as it arrives.

This is a lot of fun, almost like Christmas or my Birthday all over again. The Stogie house is gonna be smelling good soon.
I am also going to get out my candle making supplies and equipment, it has been a while since I made candles, I am thinking about making some Coffee Bean Candles.

I can’t wait until the day I can open my Fresh Roasted Coffee Shop, right here in my Little Bitty Community.

JR Cigars, the best deals on the net!!

smokeandbrew — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:09:59 +0000

I had the pleasure of finally doing an order from JRCigars.com and I am pleased. The price was right, the speed was exemplary and the quality and care is superb. I can whole heartedly recommend JRs for your next Box, Bundle or 5er.

I am sorry!!

smokeandbrew — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:59:41 +0000

I let you guys down. I roasted without a camera. (truth is, I wanted to be sure I was up to the challenge before i put it on film)

On Saturday I roasted some beans…. in 1/2 cup roasts, with the Nicaragua getting a double roast (2 x 1/2 cup)
Brazil Organic -Fazenda Jacaranda
Costa Rica Naranjo Caracol Peaberry
Nicaragua Placeras Estate “Miel”
Each roast was enough for 2 large pots of strong coffee. I gave my neighbor the second roast of the Nicaragua Placeras Estate “Miel”.
I brewed some of the first roast in my pot, man was it good. Tomorrow I am going to brew some Peaberry from Costa Rica.
I guess you could say I loves me some coffee.

Next Roasting day, I will try to get some pics, maybe even a YouTube!!!

smokeandbrew — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:33:24 +0000

smokeandbrew — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:32:27 +0000

smokeandbrew — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:31:05 +0000

smokeandbrew — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:29:48 +0000

Here is the coffee I got in the mail today from Sweet Maria’s

smokeandbrew — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:11:11 +0000

1 lb Mexico FTO Oaxaca Pluma

1 lb Brazil Organic -Fazenda Jacaranda

1 lb Costa Rica Naranjo Caracol Peaberry

1 lb Zimbabwe AA -Dandoni Estate

1 lb Guatemala Fraijanes -Finca Aqua Tibia

1 lb Tanzania NgoroNgoro Convent (Yes, it comes from a Convent, as in Nuns, Maybe God blessed this crop)

1 lb Nicaragua Placeras Estate “Miel”

1 lb Sumatra Classic Mandheling

Man I cannot wait to start roasting. This is the first time I ever touched a green coffee bean. These things smell good, like Hay!! For you Cigar smokers, read that “Barnyard” and we all know what that means in a Cigar, maybe it carries over to coffee as well.