Marley Coffee, Jammin Java
Kingston, Jamaica and Los Angeles, CA

Try one of five delicious Marley Coffee roasts. Photo: Marley Coffee

Reviewed: November 2009
Overall Rating: 96 points

Aroma: 8
Acidity: 8
Body: 9
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 9
Roast: Dark

The 411: This roast is certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. Rohan Marley (Bob Marley’s son) and friend Shane Whittle started Marley Coffee to fulfill Bob’s dream to “return to the farm one day.” Visit Marley Coffee for more information and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter.

The Setup: Like the package says “sultry, smoky and sweet…” and that is just what it is and much more. At first sniff, the aroma fills with earthy overtones and comes together with tastes of dark chocolate and berries at first sip. The finish is silky smooth.

The Delivery: Its complex flavors and deep roasty aromas sets off nicely for a smooth  complete finish leaving you wanting more. And more.

Sumatra Mandheling, Uncommon Grounds - Photo: Greg Dawson

Uncommon Grounds, Sumatra Mandheling
Saratoga Springs, NY and Albany, NY

Reviewed: November 2009
Overall Rating: 95 points

Aroma: 9
Acidity: 7
Body: 8
Flavor: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Roast: Dark

The 411: This roast originated in the Pacific/Indonesia region. While this particular roast is not, Uncommon Grounds does offer certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. Visit Uncommon Grounds or call 518-453-5649 (Albany, NY) or 518-581-0656 (Saratoga Springs, NY) for more information and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter.

The Setup: Beautifully dark roast aroma opens into a delicious cup of smooth syrupy with hints of chocolate and roasty almost woodsy flavors. A low acidity and dark roast make for a fine finish.

The Delivery: A smooth, yet pungent and roasty aroma make for an excellent pour every time. Perfect straight up or with a bit of cream and a fantastic choice for the chocolate lover.

Photo: Greg Dawson

Green Mountain Coffee, French Roast
Waterbury, Vermont

Reviewed: November 2009
Overall Rating: 94 points

Aroma: 9
Acidity: 7
Body: 8
Flavor: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Roast: Dark

The 411: This roast is certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. Green Mountain Coffee recently purchased part of Toronto-based Timothy’s Coffee. Visit Green Mountain Coffee or call 866-639-2326 for more information and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter.

The Setup: There’s nothing complicated about it. It’s delicious. Upon first sniff, you’re met with a timeless and effortless aroma that just melts in your mouth.  Its caramel-like sweetness, and chocolaty notes make for a simplistic, yet rewarding finish.

The Delivery: With a simply delicious aroma matched with a caramel-like sweetness and chocolaty notes, one is bound to pour more than just one cup.

Green Mountain Coffee, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Waterbury, Vermont

Reviewed: November 2009
Overall Rating: 93 points

Aroma: 8
Acidity: 8
Body: 8
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 8
Roast: Medium

The 411: This roast is certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. Its origin is Yirgacheffe growing district, southern Ethiopia. Green Mountain Coffee recently purchased part of Toronto-based Timothy’s Coffee. Visit Green Mountain Coffee or call 866-639-2326 for more information and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter.

The Setup: Prepare for a beautifully pungent/bittersweet aroma when opening the package and even more so when first sniffing the cup. It’s a definite deep aroma. Its notes of semi-sweet chocolate finish nicely.

The Delivery: A nicely crafted deep aroma with its mix of semi-sweet chocolate leave you wanting more. Perhaps pairing with a nice chocolate mousse is in order.

Reserve Blend, Irving Farm

Reserve Blend, Irving Farm
Millerton, New York

Reviewed: November 2009
Overall Rating: 90 points

Aroma: 8
Acidity: 6
Body: 8
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 7
Roast: Medium

The 411: This roast is certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. Irving Farm roasting facility is located 90 miles from New York City within the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York. I discovered Reserve Blend three Thanksgivings ago when a good friend brought it as a gift. Irving Farm is a very special company well worth investigating. Call 518.789.FARM for more information.

The Setup: I always love getting coffee as a gift especially at Thanksgiving! Our friend was famous for her strong European coffee that she served at her home. I prefer a medium strength coffee with smooth attributes. So I was understandably nervous about her choice of Reserve Blend. No need to worry! For those of you who enjoy a medium blend coffee with a beautiful European taste this is the one. Stands up well alone or with cream and sugar.

The Delivery: Beautiful nutty aroma and classic fresh roast taste. This coffee is bold and dark, but don’t be afraid to drink more then one cup. The mellow features of this coffee make it a two cup coffee. Served in many restaurants in NYC. Highly recommended that you try this and Irving Farms many other coffees. The web site is beautiful and full of information about the company and their philosophy.

A portion of every bag of Viking Blend sold goes to support the Western Alumni Student Scholarship Program.

The Woods Coffee, Viking Blend
Lynden, Washington

Reviewed: November 2009
Overall Rating: 94 points

Aroma: 9
Acidity: 8
Body: 8
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 8
Roast: Medium

The 411:
This blend is certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. A portion of proceeds ($2/bag) goes toward the Western Alumni Association Student Scholarship Program. Awarded the Green Business of the year by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and Readers Choice by The Bellingham Herald, The Woods Coffee has several locations throughout Whatcom County. Visit TheWoodsCoffee.com or call 360-354-0900 for more information and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter.

The Setup: Upon opening the package, you are met with a nice medium brown bean and light, pleasant aroma. When brewed, that same pleasant aroma is met with woodsy notes. In the cup mild body, lightly syrupy mouthfeel and simple delicious flavors. In the finish, the muted sweetness turns quickly to a mildly bittersweet character.

The Delivery: A beautifully shaped mild body complimented by its pleasant aroma and woodsy notes makes this the perfect choice even for the most sophisticated coffee enthusiast.

Coffeeshop Photos:

This is a very nice review and also shows you how to smell and taste the coffee. Very well done Jason!

Overview
Jason tastes  this coffee from Green Mountain in a K-Cup Brewer and talks about his relationship with JustKcups, who is currently a supporter of Coffee Cup News.

Coffee
Green Mountain Summer Safari Blend

Description
A light bright coffee with pleasing acidity and an obvious nutty overtone.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Aroma: 8
Acidity: 9
Body: 7
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 8

coffeecupnews.org

Tony's Coffee & Teas Receives 91 Points!

Review:
Tony’s Coffees & Teas
India Balmaadi Estate
Bellingham, Washington
Reviewed: October 2009

Overall Rating: 91 points

Aroma: 8
Acidity: 8
Body: 8
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 8
Roast (Agtron): Medium-Light (57/72)
Origin: Nilgiris, southern India.


Notes: This coffee is certified organically grown. Founded in 1971, Tony’s Coffees & Teas is a wholesale specialty coffee roasting company. Although the Tony’s roasting facility is in Bellingham, the company maintains distribution and training centers in Seattle, Washington and San Jose, California. This coffee is available only through the website. Visit www.tonyscoffee.com or call 800-448-8804 for more information.

Blind Assessment: Sweet-toned, balanced, quietly complete cup. Gently pungent acidity, silky mouthfeel. Tight-knit complexity: suggestions of nut, flowers, stone fruit, chocolate, lemon. Tightens a bit in a still sweet finish.

Who should drink it: Those who value subtlety rather than drama. Take this naturally sweet coffee black.