Citizen Bean's January offering, Sumatra ACEH from Victrola Coffee Roasters - Photo: Greg Dawson

January’s coffee offering featured Sumatra ACEH, from head roaster Perry Hook of Victrola Coffee Roasters located in Seattle, WA.

It is one thing to be a member of a coffee of the month club. It is another to be a citizen of one. Citizen Bean offers its “citizens” a combination of its love for art and design, superior complex coffee and food parings into a monthly gift item. Best yet, they are either fair trade, organic or shade grown coffees.

Each gift is more of adventure, introducing citizens to some of our country’s finest small roasters along with a sample food pairing and handcrafted extras. An espresso option is also available.

And here’s how the Sumatra ACEH performed in the taste test:

Victrola Coffee Roasters, Sumatra ACEH (Takengon, Sumatra)
Seattle, WA

Reviewed: January 2010
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. Victrola Coffee Roasters began roasting their own coffee in the tiny back room of their café in 2003 because they wanted to have a direct hand in the quality of their coffees before they made their way into the espresso hopper or the french press.

The Setup: Grinding releases a smoky, black-pepper fragrance, with a spicy sweetness in the finish.

The Delivery: Full bodied with smokey, black-pepper and smoked cedar, hints of spicy sweetness and a lingering finish.