September 2011 Tasting Box

Redlands, California

Like the geek in high school who went on to be hugely successful, this Ethiopian heirloom brew from the Guji Oromo producer group thrives on its differences. Local strains of coffee beans from the southern zone of the producers’ plot are wet-processed to reveal the nuances of flavors like black currant. Since the group has an export license, it sells direct trade to Augie’s of Redlands, CA, which pays at least 50 percent more than fair trade prices. All of these aspects add up in the mug: Bergamot aromas mature into a lively acidity with lemon, apricots, black tea and spices.

Craft Coffee subscriptions are the best way to drink better coffee for less money. With prices as low as $7.99 per 12oz bag, Craft Coffee's subscriptions are the best coffee deal anywhere -- online or offline.

• Producer

  Gujii Oromo farmers

• Origin

  Southern Guji, Shakiso, Ethiopia

• Varieties

  Heirloom (Ethiopian)

• Elevation

  unknown meters above sea level

• Process

  Wet processed

• Our Notes

  Blackcurrant and bergamot aromas lead into a cup with a lively lemon acidity, pectinous body and flavors of apricots, black tea and spices.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

This plucky number is like the Serge Gainsbourg of coffee—audacious, bold, and of French descent. Grown in Thika, Kenya at an elevation of 1,525 meters, the beans are a Bourbon variety believed to be brought to the country by French missionaries. The estate, owned by the Harries family, plays a large philanthropy role by supporting the education and skills training of the community’s children. But first and foremost it produces great coffee. To wit, after this brew is roasted by Dogwood Roasting Co. of Minneapolis, it takes shape with concentrated and jammy notes that stretch out through its savory finish.

Craft Coffee subscriptions are the best way to drink better coffee for less money. With prices as low as $7.99 per 12oz bag, Craft Coffee's subscriptions are the best coffee deal anywhere -- online or offline.

• Producer

  Chania Estate, farmed by the Harries Family

• Origin

  Thika, Kenya

• Varieties

  Bourbon (french)

• Elevation

  1,525 meters above sea level

• Process

  Natural processed

• Our Notes

  An audacious coffee with a dense, jammy body supporting flavors of figs and dried strawberries, and a long, savory finish.

New York, New York

In a shining example of the adage, “it takes a village,” the coffee from Cooperative Cafetelera Capucas Limitada in Honduras is a community affair. More than 80 families from the village sell coffee to the co-op, which places an emphasis on ripe cherry selection, micro-mill processing and modern washing and drying techniques. It’s no surprise, then, that these high-quality beans are roasted by Irving Farm Coffee Co., the first roaster we’ve ever featured twice. Their work continues to impress here: the coffee emerges like a pastry chef’s dream, balanced and syrupy with flavors of almonds and raw sugar.

Craft Coffee subscriptions are the best way to drink better coffee for less money. With prices as low as $7.99 per 12oz bag, Craft Coffee's subscriptions are the best coffee deal anywhere -- online or offline.

• Producer

  Cooperative Cafetelera Capucas Limitada

• Origin

  Copan, Honduras

• Varieties

  Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai & Pacas

• Elevation

  1,400 - 1,600 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed & Sun-dried

• Our Notes

  A clean, round, syrupy cup redolent of demerara sugar and almonds.