What is wow'ing you? - Page 50

#491: Post by **LukeFlynn** » October 21st, 2015, 11:46 am

Mountain Air Roasting - Black Balsam

I really have enjoyed Mountain Air's offerings, especially for drip; however, I always thought their lineup of coffees lacked a crowd pleasing espresso option. Yes, all of the coffees generally made great espresso, but they often mellow out in milk, and I have no shame in saying that 75% of what I enjoy is capps and lattes. Well, this new batch of Black Balsam Marshall is roasting is definitely the kind of coffee I like. One thing I've noticed is how much easier this new blend/version is to extract when compared to the bag I had this March. The coffee itself appears darker in color, not too dark though, similar to CC's Big Trouble I would say. It's definitely more one of those new age american style of espresso blends (a la Hairbender), but I really dig that.. I love the.. I don't know.. clarity? it has compared to something more traditional (a la Redbird). It works great as a straight shot, and a latte/cap.. and I really like that. I strongly suggest you pickup this coffee and try it for yourself, it's hard to say no, especially given how incredibly priced the coffee is.

Shot Params:
18 grams in
37.5 grams out
Timing 30 seconds
Temp 200 (Probably going to raise this to 202/3 the shot was a tiny bit sour)

#492: Post by **jesse** » October 21st, 2015, 1:09 pm

Mt. Air Chele'lektu. Sieved. Kalita Wave 155. 1/15 ratio. 30 second bloom. 2:45 total.

First pour of this stuff, still half asleep, out of practice with the Wave, probably not the greatest extraction ever. Totally excellent cup.

And this is coming from a guy who's been borderline-leery of washed coffees for the past couple of months due to a total preoccupation w/ dry and honey processed immersion brews.

#493: Post by **cmin** » October 21st, 2015, 3:09 pm

LukeFlynn wrote:Mountain Air Roasting - Black Balsam

I really have enjoyed Mountain Air's offerings, especially for drip; however, I always thought their lineup of coffees lacked a crowd pleasing espresso option. Yes, all of the coffees generally made great espresso, but they often mellow out in milk, and I have no shame in saying that 75% of what I enjoy is capps and lattes. Well, this new batch of Black Balsam Marshall is roasting is definitely the kind of coffee I like. One thing I've noticed is how much easier this new blend/version is to extract when compared to the bag I had this March. The coffee itself appears darker in color, not too dark though, similar to CC's Big Trouble I would say. It's definitely more one of those new age american style of espresso blends (a la Hairbender), but I really dig that.. I love the.. I don't know.. clarity? it has compared to something more traditional (a la Redbird). It works great as a straight shot, and a latte/cap.. and I really like that. I strongly suggest you pickup this coffee and try it for yourself, it's hard to say no, especially given how incredibly priced the coffee is.

Shot Params:
18 grams in
37.5 grams out
Timing 30 seconds
Temp 200 (Probably going to raise this to 202/3 the shot was a tiny bit sour)

Yeah that's gonna be my next order as have wanted to try Mountain Air for awhile.

#494: Post by **LukeFlynn** » October 21st, 2015, 4:09 pm

It used to be good, but now it's more like phenomenal.. I'm very happy with the way black balsam is pulling, it's much more comfort-blend like.

#495: Post by **jesse** » October 21st, 2015, 6:06 pm

jesse wrote:Mt. Air Chele'lektu. Sieved. Kalita Wave 155. 1/15 ratio. 30 second bloom. 2:45 total.

First pour of this stuff, still half asleep, out of practice with the Wave, probably not the greatest extraction ever. Totally excellent cup.

And this is coming from a guy who's been borderline-leery of washed coffees for the past couple of months due to a total preoccupation w/ dry and honey processed immersion brews.

Aeropressed this stuff at work a few minutes ago. Can't even decide whether I prefer it manual drip or immersion.

I know Marshall has been developing his roast profiles to a greater degree lately, and I think maybe the coffee is more versatile for it. Still love the 'Nordic' end of the roast spectrum, but am appreciating the more developed stuff lately as well.

#496: Post by **carl0178** » October 24th, 2015, 4:33 pm

Spyhouse Coffee (Mpls) Orion Blend

October 28th, 2015, 1:06 pm

Bodka's YEMEN RED MARQAHA GRADE A+ is definitely an A+!

#498: Post by **Jofari** » November 9th, 2015, 10:48 pm

Verve's Ethiopia Lalo Natural is probably the best natural coffee I've tried this year. The beans smell intensely sweet like strawberry shortcake. I just bought a second bag, which is something I almost never do. Verve's free shipping makes it even more appealing.

#499: Post by **Christo** » November 12th, 2015, 11:26 am

Acme Coffee Roasting's Motor City Espresso. I'm all about the chocolaty, fudgy Brazilian flavor. First of all, they sell you a real pound, not 12 ounces. It had a fantastic crema (I use a Cremina) and nice balance. I kept half on the counter and half in the freezer. The half in the freezer worked just as well as the first half. And I didn't even put the freezer half in a plastic bag! Just threw the paper bag in there.

Great taste. Great shots. Great value.

Here's a video of a shot: https://vimeo.com/145570181

Chris

November 12th, 2015, 4:52 pm

Christo wrote:Acme Coffee Roasting's Motor City Espresso. I'm all about the chocolaty, fudgy Brazilian flavor. First of all, they sell you a real pound, not 12 ounces. It had a fantastic crema (I use a Cremina) and nice balance. I kept half on the counter and half in the freezer. The half in the freezer worked just as well as the first half. And I didn't even put the freezer half in a plastic bag! Just threw the paper bag in there.

Great taste. Great shots. Great value.

Chris

Chris,
I lived near Acme for a couple years and hence my knowledge of them. Larry does a very good job IMHO...and if you like a little lighter roast with chocolate playing a lighter role, compared to MC, but with added nuttiness and stone fruit in a nice three-legged stool type of flavor profile, then give Acme Powerglide a try sometime. PG seems to like longer post-roast rest than his darker variants.

And I concur: Overall value is very high with Acme beans!