When most of us think of Hawaiʻi, we think of perfect beaches, iconic sunsets and unparalleled relaxation. When coffee lovers think of Hawaiʻi, “Kona” is often the first word that comes to mind. But while the Hawaiian Islands are, indeed, a paradise, they’re also a place where coffee is a critical part of the economy — an economy that’s been hammered over the past few years by the
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Colombia Monteblanco Rodrigo Sanchez Carbonic Maceration
Produced by Rodrigo Sanchez of Finca Monteblanco from trees of the Caturra and Bourbon varieties of Arabica, and processed by a carbonic maceration method involving two fermentation phases in closed tanks injected with CO2. The first fermentation involves the whole coffee fruit, after which the skins and pulp are removed and the beans are fermented a second time with their skins and juice, after
Fresh Fruit or “Juicy Fruit”? Tasting 90 Anaerobic-Processed Coffees
Of all of the innovations challenging traditional expectations in specialty coffee today, the use of anaerobic (limited oxygen) fermentation to alter and intensify the character of the cup is perhaps the most striking. Anaerobic-fermented coffees that explicitly and successfully express this method tend to be intense and almost shockingly floral and fruit-toned, with the flowers often
Kenya Thunguri AA
This coffee tied for the second-highest rating in a cupping of coffees from Kenya for Coffee Review’s October 2020 report. Produced by smallholding members of the Kibirigwi Co-op and comprised entirely of coffees from trees of the SL28 variety of Arabica. Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los Angeles area whose resident barista and trainer, Heather Perry, won
The Joy of Kenya, Classic Coffee-Producing Origin
What makes a coffee taste like it does? Many factors go into what you ultimately experience in your morning cup. First, there’s the tree variety that produces the coffee. For specialty coffees, the varieties in question are, with rare exceptions, of the Arabica species, and there are hundreds of possibilities. Then, there’s the place in which the tree is grown — the coffee’s terroir. (There is
RTD Rising: Single-Origin Cold Coffees Elevate the Game
It was only two years ago that Coffee Review last explored the landscape of cold black coffees offered in ready-to-drink (RTD) format. In the 2018 report, we celebrated some excellent samples, but the majority of the submissions were produced from blends of various anonymous green coffees, as opposed to single-origin coffees from identifiable farms, mills or cooperatives, the kinds of coffees
Ethiopia Washed Guji Anasora Cold Brew
This coffee tied for the second-highest rating in a tasting of ready-to-drink black coffees for Coffee Review’s July 2020 tasting report. Prepared by the cold-brew method, which involves prolonged steeping of ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water and subsequent filtering. Contains no additives or ingredients other than coffee and water. The green coffee is a washed Ethiopia Guji Anasora.
Desert-Island Coffees: What To Drink When You’re Stuck at Home
For most of the world, the first months of 2020 have been a challenging season, with millions across the globe either anticipating, in the throes of, or rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past two months, Berkeley, California, where Coffee Review is based, has been under a statewide shelter-in-place order. Whether we’re too busy or not busy enough, we’ve all had time at home to
Abu Natural Panama Geisha
This coffee tied for third-highest rating in a cupping of “desert-island coffees” submitted by roasters for Coffee Review’s May 2020 tasting report. Produced by José Guillermo Luttrell Pretto, Jr., of Abu Coffee entirely of the Geisha variety of Arabica and processed by the natural method (dried in the whole fruit). Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los
Buy Coffee E-Gift Cards
One of the best ways you can support coffee companies and their employees during the COVID-19 crisis is to simply purchase their coffee. Better yet, you can purchase e-gift cards, which provides immediate cash support. If possible, buy gift cards in excess of your immediate needs. Perhaps get an early start on your holiday gift shopping with some special stocking stuffers. On behalf of the
An In-Depth Look at the Top 30 Coffees of 2019
Coffee Review’s list of the Top 30 Coffees of 2019 represents our seventh annual ranking of the most exciting coffees we tested over the course of the year. This annual effort supports our mission of helping consumers identify and purchase superior quality coffees and, in the process, helping drive demand and increase prices to reward farmers and roasters who invest time, passion and capital in
Guatemala Concepción Buena Vista
Produced by Bernardo Solano of Concepcion Farm and processed by the wet or washed method, in which skin and fruit flesh are removed from the beans or seeds before they are dried. Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los Angeles area whose resident barista and trainer, Heather Perry, won both the 2003 and 2007 United States Barista Championships brewing a Klatch
El Salvador Las Mercedes Pacamara Honey
Produced by Lucia Abregado De Ortiz of Finca Las Mercedes entirely of the admired, big-beaned Pacamara variety of Arabica and processed by the honey method. With all honey processing methods, some sweet pulp or fruit flesh (“honey”) is allowed to adhere to the beans during drying. Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los Angeles area whose resident barista and
Top Coffees by Category – 2019
In 2015, we began the practice of recognizing top coffees by category to focus attention on fine coffees that may not have earned a place on our Top 30 Coffees list. The coffees below may not have attracted the highest scores of the year but they merit recognition for their excellence nonetheless. For more information, visit our expanded rankings post from 2015. We are pleased to recognize
Panama Esmeralda Geisha Portón Oro Yeast
Produced at El Velo Farm by the Peterson family entirely of the Geisha variety of Arabica and processed by the natural method, meaning the beans were dried inside the fruit rather than after the fruit has been removed, as is the case with wet-processed or “washed” coffees. This processing procedure included an inoculation of Panama Esmeralda Geisha Portón Oro Yeast applied to the coffee fruit
Shop the Top 30 – 2019
Coffee Review‘s mission is to help consumers identify and purchase superior quality coffees and, in the process, help drive demand and increase prices to reward farmers and roasters who invest time, passion, and capital in producing high quality coffee beans. Many of our readers seek out highly rated coffees for their own enjoyment or as thoughtful gifts for coffee lovers. Coffees that appear
Panama Elida Geisha Natural 1029
This coffee took first place in the 2019 Best of Panama green coffee competition and subsequently was auctioned for the then highest price ever paid for a green, unroasted coffee: US$1,029 per pound. Produced from the celebrated Green Tip Geisha variety of Arabica and processed by slow-dried natural method, in which the coffee in the whole fruit is first sealed in bags, forcing it to ferment with
Panama Elida Natural Catuai
This exceptional coffee was selected as the No. 24 coffee on Coffee Review’s list of the Top 30 Coffees of 2019. Produced by the Lamastus family of Elida Estate entirely of the Catuai variety of Arabica and processed by the natural method, meaning the beans were dried inside the fruit rather than after the fruit has been removed, as is the case with wet-processed or “washed” coffees. Klatch Coffee
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe GR1 Bedhatu Jibicho Washed
Southern Ethiopia coffees like this one are largely produced from distinctive indigenous Ethiopian varieties of Arabica long grown in their respective regions. Processed by the wet or washed method, in which skin and fruit flesh are removed from the beans or seeds before they are dried. Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los Angeles area whose resident barista
Kenya Nyeri Othaya Gura AA
Produced by members of the Othaya Cooperative from trees of the admired SL28 and SL34 varieties of Arabica. Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los Angeles area whose resident barista and trainer, Heather Perry, won both the 2003 and 2007 United States Barista Championships brewing a Klatch Coffee espresso blend. Visit www.klatchroasting.com or call 877-455-2824