Ethiopia Dara Kebado Sidamo Natural
Arrived late July 2011 in Grainpro bags, new crop. Powerful strawberry aromatic profile but clean, more delicate cup red apple acidity. Complex berry flavors. A terrific coffee that may go quickly.

As we discovered from the exporter in Ethiopia, who considers this their best Sidamo of the year, this coffee was part of a small scale project geared at inspiring regional producers an incentive to produce at the highest quality levels. The goal was to bring microlots to market with only 100% ripe red cherry, accomplished by careful multiple pickings and sorting. Growers were promised a big premium if the coffees passed the predetermined quality standards, and in this case a minimum score of 88 points was required, a significant challenge. Needless to say this coffee passed muster and was packaged at source in Grainpro bags in order to preserve the quality.

In this natural process ripe cherries are harvested and then go directly to drying tables or beds. The cherries have to be frequently turned to avoid mold and drying can take up to several weeks. Once dry, they are milled and bagged. This coffee is a terrific cup.

Cup Characteristics: While the aromatics are powerful the cup is delicate. The complex berries are clean and lively. Red apple acidity. Dry, long finish. Powerful berry and particularly strawberry aromatics give way to more subtle, nuanced flavor interpretations of the perceived odors.

another_jim wrote:Chances are it will require a longer wait and a low dose. However, given the way this light roasts tastes, I don't think going much darker will add interest. My instinct would be to work with it light and test your shot pulling skills.

another_jim wrote:One best shot of the year today from this, with all the chops of the past super Ethiopians.