Organization: Terroir Coffee, Acton, Massachusetts
Coffee: Brazil Daterra South Italian Style Espresso
Reviewed: August 2007
Overall Rating: 93 points
Roast (Agtron): Medium-Light (55/67)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Cerrado growing region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Notes: Daterra is arguably the world's most technically sophisticated coffee farm. The Cerrado is high plateau with a very dry harvest season, making it ideal for the production of the sweet, mainly sun-dried Brazilian coffee types favored worldwide for the creation of fine espresso coffees. My sample of this single-farm espresso produced a lovely golden churning crema and seemed to show best at a relatively short extraction time. Terroir is a microroaster selling only elite single-origin coffees, no blends. It specializes in medium roast styles designed to foreground the character of the green coffee. Terroir is the creation of George Howell, one of the world's leading coffee visionaries. Visit www.terroircoffee.com or call 866-444-5282 for more information.

Blind Assessment: In the aroma crisp orange with hints of honey and cedar. In the small cup silky body with a continuing distinct orange note. The honey deepens toward a molasses-toned semi-sweet chocolate. Rich, chocolaty finish. In milk the orange notes complicate a delicate milk chocolate and a superb finish.

Who should drink it: An aromatic, versatile espresso for straight shots and short milk drinks.

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