Blind Assessment:

Ken (91) was more attracted to this coffee’s sweet, deeply low-toned, big-bodied character than was co-cupper Ted Stachura (89), who found the dominant nut and bittersweet chocolate character marked by a hint of woodiness. But both cuppers describe a deep, dark-chocolaty, nutty coffee with a balancing hint of citrus and a rich if slightly heavy finish.

Notes:

Processed by the traditional Brazilian natural or dry method, meaning the coffee was dried with both skin and fruit still adhering to the bean, though here the coffee fruit was dried on raised screen beds to allow for air to circulate under and through the drying coffee rather than spread on the usual patios. This coffee is Utz Certified, meaning it fulfills social, environmental and traceability standards embodied in the Utz Certified Code of Conduct. Bourbon is a prestigious, heirloom variety of Coffea Arabica; this particular strain has a yellow skin. Fazenda Cachoeria da Gramma is an impressively ecologically and socially advanced farm on the border between the classic Brazilian growing regions of Mogiana and Sul de Minas. Ecco Caffe is a small, genuinely artisan specialty roaster that specializes in relatively light-roasted, “Northern Italian Style” espressos and select single-origin coffees. Visit www.eccocaffe.com or call 707-525-9309 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: Those who prefer depth and dry, nutty chocolate to fruit, flowers and brightness.