5.21.2008

Ecco Coromandel

Brazil - Cerrado Minas Gerais
Fazenda Sao Joao, Geginaldo Silvoni
Heirloom Bourbon
2007 Harvest

Another lovely brazil single origin espresso from Andrew Barnett at Ecco Caffe.

First impressions were of smoothness and polish. This is a highly "finished" espresso.
Initial tastes are of caramel, cashew butter and an interesting cherry/tangelo flavour.
It's quite subtle and very, very balanced. It's not a big espresso by any means.
As it cools, the fruits become more dominant - but without becoming sour or overly acidic. A lovely light molasses note appears as well.

In short milk drinks, the coffee comes across well - with the fats in the milk complementing the buttery nut notes and balancing the fruits.
It is, of course, rather lost in tall milk drinks.
Best use, without a doubt, is as a straight shot.

I found it responded well to a very slight updose in a double basket - with a midpoint brew temp and a slightly short shot volume. It also tasted quite good downdosed in a synesso triple basket and pulled ristretto.

Probably not everyone's cup of tea. There are those who will find it "boring" or not quite "intense" enough. For me... it's a lovely "everyday" espresso.

5.19.2008

Ecco Caffe ("Taste of the Harvest")

Brazil Fazenda Cahoeira de Gramma from the Carvalho Diases.
Heirloom Yellow Bourbon, natural, raised screen bed.
2007 Harvest.

Another winner from Andrew Barnett at Ecco Caffe.

A simply lovely coffee, in all ways.
As espresso it's clean, sweet, elegant and polished. Extremely light on the palate with a wonderful soft and almost "fluffy" mouthfeel. Honey, some caramelized nectarine, a light filbert note. Wonderful tropical spice and floral aromas.
This is not an espresso for people who like "strong" coffee - but rather for those who appreciate flavour and balance. It's not idiosyncratic or "different."
It's just "right."

Be careful about pulling this coffee too hot. It takes a lower brew temp than you might expect. At even a single degree too high you'll lose the fruit and the floral notes and instead will end up with a coffee that is flat with noticeable "toast" flavours. Be brave... go cold.

Seems to respond best to mid-point doses (not too up... not too down).

It's very good in short milk drinks as well - but gets lost in tall ones.
Best, IMHO, as a straight shot where it really shines.

Nice one!!