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85

Ecco Caffe

Sumatra Blue Batak

Roaster Location: Santa Rosa, California
Coffee Origin: Lake Tawar basin, Aceh Province, northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Roast Level: Medium-Dark
Agtron: 45/41
Review Date: November 2002
Aroma: 8
Acidity: 7
Body: 7
Flavor: 7

Blind Assessment

Lindsey Bolger: "Understated grace describes this uncharacteristically delicate and refined Sumatra. Both dry fragrance and wet aroma display subtle fruit (I describe it as dried orange peel) and milk chocolate, which complement a clean and balanced cup laced with sweet herbs and licorice" (82). Ken: "Crisp, balanced, understated but rich. Grapefruit tones complicate a gently acidy but roasty cup" (88).

Notes

A traditionally processed Sumatra coffee. Although traditional Sumatras are technically washed or wet-processed coffees, a series of peculiarities in how they are processed and dried give them their characteristic low-key richness and idiosyncratic flavor notes. Ecco Caffe is a newer boutique roaster located in northern California's Sonoma Valley specializing in the moderate style of dark roasts identified with northern Italy. Call 707-525-9309 for more info.

Who Should Drink It

Lovers of crisp elegance and sweetly tart citrus, whether orange peel (Lindsey) or grapefruit (Ken).

Explore Similar Coffees

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This review originally appeared in the November, 2002 tasting report: What Makes Sumatra Coffees Taste The Way They Do?

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