81	Rao's Coffee Roasting Amherst, Massachusetts French Roast Roast: Very-Dark Review Date: April 2004 Origin: Not disclosed Price: NA

Blind Assessment: Predictable ultra-dark roast: intense and pungent with an edge of charred cedar in the aroma; in the cup thin in mouthfeel and sweetly charred, with a mildly astringent finish that lovers of this style of roast will find bracing.

Notes: Served at Hamersley's Bistro in Boston. Gordon Hamersley's namesake restaurant in Boston's South End neighborhood continues to attract enthusiasm with its French-New American bistro fare. Rao's Coffee is a quality-oriented small-batch roaster whose motto is "The Only Way to Know is to Taste It." Visit www.raoscoffee.com or call 413-253-9494 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: Those who enjoy foods with a charred, vaguely sweet edge.

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