It seems that the idea of coffee subscriptions is really growing these last few months, but not just one roaster with a recurring delivery of fresh roasted coffee, but subscriptions offering a variety of fresh roasted coffee from various coffee roasters.

Craft Coffee was the first one (correct me if I’m wrong) to hit the coffee world hailing from Brooklyn, New York, and now we have LA Coffee Club hailing from Los Angeles, California.

Before you go closing this page down because you realize you don’t live in LA, let me point out that nowhere on the site does it say that the subscription is limited to people living in the LA area. Get happy now! You can order this subscription and pretend you live in LA drinking some of these phenominal roasters as well as finding some new roasters you may not have known of before.

At $30 a month you’ll receive two 12oz bags of fresh roasted coffee each month. Hopefully by now your eyes have widened at the ridiculous price. Don’t forget that you’ll be receiving coffee from roasters such as Handsome Coffee Roasters (my favorite), Intelligentsia Coffee, Klatch Roasting, and more…

For a full list of roasters you can visit this link here, but why would you do that and ruin the surprise of seeing what arrives each month?

Not only is the list of roasters mouth watering, but check out the above packaging. I wouldn’t have expected anything less. A yellow burlap looking sack with LA stenciled on top and a black bandana covering up the two bags of coffee hiding inside. I wouldn’t mind toting that bag just about everywhere I go.

I’m going to stop myself right here and just tell you plain and simple:

The Coffee

Beans: Gethumbwini, Kenya
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24 (medium + grind)
Bean/Water Ratio: 26/350g / 2 minute infusion / 1:30 drop

Notes:
Aroma is very mellow with a sugary sweetness claiming the first introduction. Underneath honey flows through and then the cup opens up with a very lush blackberry note reminding me of blackberry jam.

The taste begins with a blackberry note that is sweet, yet tart. Honey follows suit bringing more sweetness to your palate. As the coffee cools, hints of mandarin orange can be found. The blackberry note is round and juicy, lingering around after each sip.

Mixed Berry Jam, Black Currants, Mandarin Orange, Candy Sweetness ~ Kuma Coffee

Verdict:
I was able to enjoy two helpings of this coffee. The second bag was an even lighter roast than the first. I didn’t get a chance to compare them side by side, but they were both extremely delicious coffees. I found the second bag even juicier than the first. It was so tart and mouth puckering, yet sweet and delicious.

The Clever Dripper, and even the AeroPress produced truly wonderful cups of coffee time after time. A wonderful example of a truly beautiful Kenyan coffee.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Thika
Varietal: SL28, SL34, K7
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1800 Meters
Harvest Season/Date:
Cost: Check site for availability

The Coffee

Beans: Guatemala Finca El Injerto Maragogype
Roaster: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: AeroPress w/ Able Brewing Disk
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24 + Micro Adjust to “F”
Bean/Water Ratio: 17/220g 1 minute infusion / 45 sec plunge

Notes:
Aroma carries a sugar cane and doughnut sweetness while light hints of grapes, apricots, and wine begin to slowly emerge underneath.

Each sip dominates with a sugar cane/doughnut like sweetness, coating your tongue and lingering around long after each sip. Underneath the intense sweetness I found brown sugar, chocolate hints, and slight fruit hints like oranges or apricots.

Apricot, sugar cane, syrupy with a rum-like finish ~ Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Verdict:
I had a hard time deciding whether or not I liked this coffee in the Clever, or the AeroPress, but it seemed the AeroPress brought out more of those underlying fruit notes while the Clever gave a little more sugary sweetness. Either way, both methods were produced wonderful cups.

This is a very sweet cup of coffee featuring all kinds of goodness. Prepare your tongue for sweet, yet fruity domination.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Guatemala
Varietal: Maragogype
Processing: N/A
Altitude: N/A
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $17 per 8oz

I thought it would be fun to take a look back at 2011 and pick out the 10 most memorable coffees of that year.

Looking back, I realized that I had quite a few Kenyan’s that year. (I guess I became a little obsessed.) What really stood out to me though, was that 2011 was a spectacular year for coffee… Well, at least for me and my taste buds. I had so many coffees that I enjoyed, and quite a few that really left a lasting impression on me.

So, without without further adue… My top 10 most memorable coffees of 2011. (In no particular order, or rating.)

1.) Honduras Los Portillos (New Harvest Coffee)

2.) Holiday Fusion Blend (MadCap Coffee)

3.) Bali Natural Kintamani (One Village Coffee)

4.) Don Medardo (Handsome Coffee Roasters)

5.) Costa Rica Aguilera Bro’s Micromill (Tonx Coffee)

6.) Kenya Fairview Estate (Gorilla Coffee)

7.) Ruthagati AA (Handsome Coffee Roasters)

8.) Elefante (MadCap Coffee)

9.) Kenya Kirinyaga Mamuto (Terrior Coffee)

10.) Ethiopia Sidamo (Doma Coffee)

The Coffee

Beans: Honeypot Espresso
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 26/350g / 3min infusion / 1:30 drop

Notes:
A perfect summer coffee featuring a honey sweetness, perfect for those hot days, and and delicious berry like play that reminds me of strawberries. Hints of mandarin orange emerge soon after.

Each sip is crisp and refreshing. A light bodied coffee with mandarin orange, a very pleasing honey sweetness, candied strawberries, and a lingering chocolate play that stays long after each sip.

As the coffee starts to age the coffee becomes sweeter and starts to morph into an even chocolatier cup.

Mandarin Orange, Apricot, Brandy ~ Kuma Coffee

Verdict:
When this coffee arrived I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this one grew on me. Don’t let this mellow coffee fool you. It might be mellow, but it’s also crisp tasting, and seriously refreshing as a pour-over.

I never got around to trying this as an espresso so I can’t give you any thoughts on that, but experimenting with this coffee in the Clever and the AeroPress lead to some great results.

Overall, this coffee was a nice change compared to the big fruity boasting coffees I was also drinking for the week.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Boquete
Varietal: Catuai, Typica, Bourbon
Processing: Honey Processed
Altitude: 1670-1825 Meters
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $16 per 12oz

The Coffee

Beans: Honduras Bertilio Reyes Portillo
Roaster: New Harvest Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 26/350g 3 minute infusion / 1:30 press

Notes:
Juicy grapes upfront, sweet honey, and tart strawberries make up the aroma of the coffee.

Each sip follows with a lively acidity, juicy grapes, chocolate, strawberries, along with lemon hints, and oranges. A clean cup that doesn’t disappoint or lack with flavor.

Chocolate, plum, grape, sweet lime, clean finish, a beautiful balance is the star of the show ~ New Harvest Coffee

Verdict:
This coffee marks my second experience with the wonderful New Harvest Coffee. This particular coffee is the brother of Aldolfo’s lot, a farmer whose coffee I sampled not too long ago, and one you might remember, Honduras Los Portillos.

The moment Honduras Los Portillos arrived I was instantly blown away with the bright fruity notes the beans carried all the way to that first cup I made. It was an impressive coffee, and made for a memorable 2011. It even made my top 10 list of coffees in 2011 I enjoyed the most.

Honduras Bertilio Reyes Portillo, on the other hand, is another wonderful coffee even though it did not live up to the expectations I know I shouldn’t have compared to his brother’s coffee.

Breaking myself away from comparing the two, I did in fact enjoy this wonderful gem of a coffee. It did not disappoint, and I would highly recommend you try this before it’s gone.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Honduras
Varietal: N/A
Processing: N/A
Altitude: N/A
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $16 per 1lb.

Top row:
- Gimme! Coffee “Happy Roaster” T-Shirt
- DCILY “Heart Bean” T-Shirt
- DCILY “No X in Espresso” T-Shirt in black (SOLD OUT)
- Handsome Coffee Roasters “Van T-Shirt”
- DCILY “Enjoy Black Coffee” Zip-Hoodie

Middle row:
- DCILY “No X in Espresso T-Shirt in grey
- De La Paz “Sonic Youth” T-Shirt
- GoCoffeeGo “Logo” T-Shirt (Unknown availability)
- DCILY “Enjoy Black Coffee” T-Shirt
- Coffee Common “Coffee Process” in black

Bottom row:
- Roast Magazine “Roast” T-Shirt
- Handsome Coffee Roasters “Handsome Brand” T-Shirt
- Coffee Common “Coffee Process” T-Shirt in blue
- Cafe Imports “Spro” T-Shirt (SOLD OUT)

Anyone else’s closet starting to look like this?

The Coffee

Beans: Panama Elida Estate
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 30/350g 30 second bloom (100g) / 2 minute infusion / 1:30 drop

Notes:
Delicate flowers flow out from the cup with a deep blackberry note. A hint of blueberry starts to tumble out with hints of sweet melon and honey.

A light bodied coffee carrying delicate flowers, caramel, hints of jasmine, and a tart acidity. Light notes of chocolate and blueberries lingering after each sip.

Melon, Black Currants, Wildflowers ~ Kuma Coffee

Verdict:
I had a hard time in the beginning trying to find the “sweet spot” for this coffee. The AeroPress seemed the perfect fit for this Panama, but after experimenting I found that not to be true. I moved over to the Clever and found that this coffee tasted much better.

All in all I rather enjoyed this coffee despite my issues with finding the right brewing method in the beginning.

I’m really pleased with this Panama and the Panama Elida Natural I got the chance to try from Kuma Coffee. I feel like it is starting to taste like a good year for the Panama region.

Another spectacular coffee from Mark…

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Boquete
Varietal: Catuai, Typica, Bourbon
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1670-1825 Meters
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $17 per 12oz

The Coffee

Beans: Nombre De Dios, El Salvador
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: AeroPress w/ Able Brewing Disk
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24 (medium+ grind)
Bean/Water Ratio: 19/230g 1 minute infusion / 45 second press

Notes:
The aroma carries and warm and inviting mix of honey, juicy apples, caramel, and spice.

The taste carries that same warm, yet inviting feeling. Each sip starts with an apple play which introduces the cup and soon after a caramel play makes its way through. Underneath I found some spice hints and a long lingering chocolate sweetness.

Chocolate, Honey, Crisp Apples ~ Kuma Coffee

Verdict:
At close to three weeks old this coffees profile changed and became very perfume like. I know it sounds bad, but it really tasted good and very weird at the same time. Underneath the perfume note I found a big flowery play which carried from the cup into each sip I took.

Overall, it was a close tie between the other two coffees I tried from Kuma Coffee these past few weeks, but this is definitely my second favorite. This coffee is still going strong with big flavor and I’m loving every minute of it.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Metepan
Varietal: 100% Bourbon
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1500 Meters
Harvest Season/Date:
Cost: $16 per 12oz

It has been a frustrating past week brewing with the Clever Dripper. I have been blaming my brewing technique, and even the brewing method itself when the issue at hand is so far off.

Surprisingly, it isn’t that I am doing something wrong. I am not brewing an over-extracted, or even an under-extracted cup, but instead I realized that coming from the AeroPress I had high expectations for what the coffee should taste like in the Clever without even realizing I had expectations for it in the first place.

I only realized this when I couldn’t stop bickering about how poorly a coffee tasted, and how the acidity and high fruit notes I had tasted from the AeroPress with a coffee weren’t coming through in the Clever.

I think using the AeroPress for as long as I did without playing with other brewing methods made me forget that every brew method will bring out something different in a coffee. I was not liking the coffee produced in the Clever not because it’s a bad brewing method, but because my thoughts were clouded with expectations that should not have been there in the first place.

Now that I figured out the problem I have now been able to finally enjoy the Clever for what it can bring to the table. I take back all my complaints. The Clever makes some damn fine cups of coffee.

I’m excited to share with you all some of the ratios I have been experimenting with and my thoughts. Keep a look out for that coming soon.

Have a good one!