The “Other” East African Coffees
It’s almost a crime: some of the most balanced, complexThe co-presence of many aroma and flavor attributes, with multiple layers. A general impression of a coffee, similar to judgments such as "balanced" or "structured" coffees in the world are overshadowed by the powerhouse of East Africa … KenyaKenya is the East African powerhouse of the coffee world. Both in the cup, and the way they run their trade, everything is topnotch.: Kenya is the East.... Great Kenya coffees are showstoppers … they stun the palate with volatile aromas and fruityIn some coffee taster’s lexicon, “fruity” means the coffee is tainted with fruit, and “fruited” means a coffee is graced by positive fruit notes. We don't exactly see... acidity
Acidity is a positive flavor attribute in coffee, also referred to as brightness or liveliness. It adds a brilliance to the cup, whereas low acid coffees can seem..., the flavors complex, the aftertasteAftertaste refers to lingering residual sensations in the mouth after coffee has swallowed. It might be distinguished from "finish" which is the final sensations of the coffee while... is long and intense.
But in the wake of Kenya you find great, balanced coffees that might not have the hit-you-over-the-head flavors but are in no way diminutive in the cup. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, formerly known as lower Rhodesia until independence in 1980, has produced great coffee since production was introduced in the 1960s. Like Zambian coffees, these coffees are often... and Zambian continue to impress, although the presence of too many non-Estate, lower grade coffees from these origins threatens to confuse people in this market. In fact, uneven quality is the downfall of both TanzaniaIn terms of the Tanzania coffee character, it belongs to the Central/East African family of washed (wet-processed) coffees, bright (acidy), and mostly aggressively flavorful of which Kenya is... and BurundiBurundi coffee bears resemblance to neighboring Rwanda, in both cup character, but also the culture surrounding coffee. Burundi is a small landlocked country at the crossroads of East... too. It takes a lot of work at the cupping
Cupping is a method of tasting coffee by steeping grounds in separate cups for discrete amounts of ground coffee, to reveal good flavors and defects to their fullest.... table to find an especially good lot of these coffees.
With the new cropRefers to fresh shipments of green coffee within the first month or two of the earliest arrivals ... not quite the same as Current Crop, which means the... arrival of the aforementioned coffees imminent, I know it will take a lot of sampling in the next 2 months to source the best. The good news is that we have one early arrival that is simply outstanding: UgandaWhile Arabica was introduced at the beginning of the 1900's, Robusta coffee is indigenous to the country, and has been a part of Ugandan life for centuries. The... Bugisu AA. Our first shipment has arrived and it has great bodyAssociated with and sensed by mouthfeel, body is sense of weight and thickness of the brew, caused by the percentage of soluble solids in the cup, including all..., intense wild flavors that distinguish the East Africans and good acidity to boot! It’s hard to describe these flavors in a way that makes them sound positive. I get nice bitter
Bitterness is one of 5 basic tastes: Sour, Sweet, Salty, Bitter and Umami (savory flavors). There are many types of bitterness, hence not one avenue to tracking down... chocolate
A general flavor or aroma term reminiscent of chocolate. But what type? Usually described with more specifics.: Chocolate is a broad, general flavor or aroma term reminiscent of... notes, with a distinct and aromatic leatheryAromas or flavors reminiscent of leather, a very rustic quality and not necessarily a defect.: This descriptor is somewhat reminiscent of the leather, and is sometimes distinguished as... flavor. Now how can I make that sound as pleasing as it actually is? Chocolate and leather? I probably can’t! But despite my lack of salesmanship, give it a try.
Questionable Politics & Quality Coffee
Coffee producing nations are sometimes the poorest and most politically unstable on the planet. Origins like East TimorTimor-Leste (East Timor) is a tiny island between Australia and Sulawesi, annexed by Indonesia and liberated in a referendum several years ago. Small scale coffee farming was jump-started..., SumatraIndonesians are available as a unique wet-hulled or dry-hulled (washed) coffees. Giling Basah is the name for the wet-hulling process in Bahasa language, and will have more body..., Myanmar, Uganda, CongoKivu is the general name for East Congo (Kinshasa), covering a very broad geographical area, and the lake of the same name that divides them. It borders on..., Zimbabwe, EthiopiaEthiopia, formerly known as Abyssinia, or a coffee cultivar: Ethiopia, or more specifically the Empire under Haile Selassie, was known as Abyssinia. The name is Latin, derived from... and YemenYemen has a coffee culture like no other place, and perhaps some of what we enjoy in this cup is due to their old style of trade...: Technically,... (to name but a few) are currently experiencing great unrest or have a culture of poverty that has persisted for many years. As a consumer, one response would be great concern about the possibility of perpetuating injustice with each purchase … and it is great to be asking those questions. Coffee does travel a very direct route to the consumer and our purchases do impact the producers! These are the very same questions I ask of our coffee brokers around the country, since in essence I am their consumer.
Many improvements need to be made in the coffee market to make it a more equitable place for coffee producers. There is a lot of talk in the trade about trying to free Specialty Coffee
Specialty coffee was a term devised to mean higher levels of green coffee quality than average "industrial coffee" or "commercial coffee". At this point, the term is of... –the top 5% of coffee grades and the quality of coffee that we deal with — from the tyranny of the New York “C”The New York "C" market is coffee commodity trading platform for arabica coffees that determine base contract pricing. It is traded at the NYBOT (New York Board of... market that determines the base trading price for even some of the fanciest coffees available. The “C” is intended for commercial grade coffees. (I keep a few novelty samples of these around the so people can see the atrocious quality that trades at those levels). But in fact some very good coffees are traded at the “C” plus a differential price. And that’s not right.
Fair TradeFair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to empowering developing country producers and promoting sustainability.: Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach... certification is a way to ensure equity for a small amount of coffees out there. (Sweet Maria’s is currently in the certification process). But what coffee producers really need is broad reaching stability. Fair Trade insures equity for a few. On a broader scale, the main problem is that we pay too little for coffee! With all the labor that goes into producing a pound of Specialty Coffee, and the fact it costs us pennies per cup, as consumers we are getting a grossly cheap pleasure. That said, quality coffee still pays more equitably that cheap coffee. If you want to really stick it to the farmers, buy coffee in a can! Coffee is a cash crop. It extends beyond local economies and brings in much-needed capital to expand and improve conditions. Many, many coffees from politically unstable origins are grown by farm cooperatives. Some were started under bleak political conditions and became a form of economic resistance. The reclamation of abandoned coffee farms in East Timor was due to a US AID grant that helped farmers organize, get OrganicGrown without the use of artificial fertilizers, herbicides, etc.: Organic coffee has been grown according to organic farming techniques, typically without the use of artificial fertilizers. Some farms... certification, and buy milling equipment. At the time of the political upheaval people asked me if it was ethical to buy coffee from the Timorese. Of course it was, and continues to be a way to infuse money into a desperate economy, money that goes directly to a farming cooperative, and get great coffee in return! The same is true currently for Myanmar, which is under despotic rule. But the Myanmar coffee we offer comes from the Golden Triangle co-op which circumvents the government and provides support directly to member farmers. It’s probably one of the few products from Myanmar you can currently buy in good conscience.
In these cases, boycotting coffee from politically unstable regions only hurts the coffee producers This is true for regions that are adjacent to unstable areas as well as directly from a particular originIn coffee talk, it refers to a coffee-producing region or country; such as, "I was just at origin." Of course "Origin" for most product we use is not.... Because the origin is the brand, it’s the name these small farmers depend upon to allow their coffee to reach a market like the US. In the case of canned coffee, their brand name is key and they can switch the blend at any time to ensure the absolute lowest cost of production possible. And that can never work in favor of the small farmer.
While more needs to be done, Specialty Coffee in itself has done much to make consumers aware of the origin nations, and the means of production that makes such fine coffee possible. And everyone in this trade, without regard to personal ideology, knows that quality cannot survive at the current prices.
Sweet Maria’s Coffee
9 E. 2nd Ave Columbus Ohio 43201
web: www.sweetmarias.com
email: [email protected]
Sweet Marias Green Coffee
Green coffee refers to the processed seed of the coffee tree fruit. Coffee is a flowering shrub that produces fruit. The seeds of the fruit are processed, roasted,... Offerings on 1/15/01:
This list is always superceded by the current list on our web page! http://sweetmarias.com/prod.greencoffee.shtml
Central American 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Costa Rican Organic La Amistad $5.30 $10.07 $23.06 $81.62
GuatemalaGuatemalan coffee is considered a top quality coffee producer in Central America. Due to our proximity to Guatemala, some of the nicest coffees from this origin come to... Antigua Los Volcanes $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Guatemala HHT El Injerto Est BourbonA coffee cultivar; a cross between Typica and Bourbon, originally grown in Brazil: Mundo Novo is a commercial coffee cultivar; a natural hybrid between "Sumatra" and Red Bourbon,... $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Guat.Fraijanes Org.-La Montana EstateA "coffee estate" is used to imply a farm that has its own processing facility, a wet-mill. In Spanish this is called an Hacienda. A Finca (farm) does... $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Guatemalan Finca
Spanish 101: Finca is the Spanish word for farm. Sometimes the term Hacienda is used to imply an Estate, which would mean the farm has its own wet-mill.... San Rafael $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Guatemala SHB HHT MaragogypeMaragogype is a mutation of Typica coffee and was discovered in Brazil. The Maragogype is a large plant with big leaves, low production and very large fruits (and... $5.65 $10.74 $24.58 $87.01
Guatemala Organic FT Huehuetenango $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Mexican Oaxaca Pluma -Fino Rojas $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Mexican San Pablo Tres Flechas $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
Nicaraguan SHG -Selva Negra Estate $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
South American 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
BrazilBrazil is a coffee giant . As Frank Sinatra sang, "they grow an awful lot of coffee in Brazil".: Brazil is a coffee giant . As Frank Sinatra... Cerrado-Monte Carmelo $4.40 $8.36 $19.14 $67.76
Brazil Monte Alegre- Wet ProcessWet-processing starts by removing the outer skin of the coffee cherry with a machine called a pulper, then fermenting the remaining fruit (with green bean inside) in water... $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
Colombian Popayan SupremoA Colombian coffee grade referring to screen size of 17-18 screen. In the traditional bulk Arabica business, Supremo was the top grade Colombia, with Excelso one step below... $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
Colombian Maragogype $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Colombian Narino Reserva Del Patron $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
Colombian Tuluni Supremo 18+ $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
PeruPeruvian coffees have Central American brightness but in a South American coffee flavor package overall. The good organic lots do have more of a "rustic" coffee character.: Organic... Org/FT Chanchamayo La Florida $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Peru Chanchamayo Corona $4.40 $8.36 $19.14 $67.76
African- Arabian 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Ethiopian Harar Gr.5 Horse $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Ethiopian Sidamo Gr.5 -00 $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Gr.2 $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Kenya AA Kiungu Estate 99-00 $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
Kenya AA Mweiga Estate 99-00 $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Kenya PeaberryA peaberry is a green coffee "bean" that has a rounded form: Coffee is the dried seed from the fruit of a flowering tree - each fruit having... ’00 $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Tanzanian Northern Peaberry
The Spanish-language term for Peaberry is the same for "snail". See Peaberry for more information on the single bean fruit of the coffee tree. A peaberry is the... 00-01 $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Uganda Burgisu AA $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
Yemen MokhaThe Yemeni type of coffee, both in terms of the family of cultivars planted there, and the general trade name.: Mokha Yemeni type of coffee, both in terms... Ismaili -Hirazi $7.80 $14.98 $34.71 $127.92
Yemen Mokha Mattari $7.00 $13.30 $30.45 $112.00
Yemen Mokha Raimi $6.90 $13.11 $30.02 $110.40
Indonesian- Indian 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Indian Monsooned Malabar AA $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Indian Pearl Mountain Est. Peaberry $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Aged Java
There are several types of Abyssinia variety coffee, but they are not from Ethiopia but rather Indonesia. Abyssinia 3 = AB3. PJS Cramer, a Dutch plant researcher, introduced this variety... – Old Brown ’97 $6.20 $11.78 $26.97 $95.48
Java Govt. Estate Blawan $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Myanmar ArabicaArabica refers to Coffea Arabica, the taxonomic species name of the genus responsible for around 75% of the worlds commercial coffee crop.: Arabica refers to Coffea Arabica, the... -Rubyland $3.50 $6.65 $15.23 $53.90
Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island it shares with the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya, part of Indonesia. The two primary areas for... Organic AA $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
SulawesiSulawesi coffees are low-acid with great body and that deep, brooding cup profile akin to Sumatra. The coffee is sometimes known as Celebes, which was the Dutch colonial... Rantepao -Monsooned $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Sulawesi Toraja Gr.1 00 $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Sumatra MandhelingA trade name used for wet-hulled Sumatra coffees. It is an area and a culture group as well (spelled Mandailing often) but there is not as much coffee... DP Gr.1 ’01 $4.75 $9.03 $20.66 $73.15
Aged Sumatra Pwani Mandheling $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Timor Organic Maubese 00-01 $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Islands- Blends -Etc. 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Dominican Rep.-Montana Verde Estate $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
French ChicoryChicory was a popular coffee substitute and economizer for 2 centuries, back when coffee was more prized, and pure coffee was a luxury. : Chicory was a popular... -Roasted and Ground $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
HawaiiThe Kona district on the big island of Hawaii produces the best coffee from this state - clean, sweet and mild. : Ah, Hawaii... what a nice place.... Kona-Captain Cook XtraFancy $15.10 $28.69 $70.22 $250.66
SM’s Moka Kadir Blend $5.80 $11.02 $25.23 $89.32
SM’s EspressoA small coffee beverage, about 20 ml, prepared on an espresso machine where pressurized hot water extracted through compressed coffee.: In its most stripped-down, basic form, this is... Monkey Blend $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
SM’s Decaf Espresso Blend $5.70 $10.83 $24.80 $87.78
Sweet Maria’s Fr.RoastBlend $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Malabar Gold Espresso Blend $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Decafs 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Brazil Santos SWPSWP means Swiss Water Process is a patented water filtration decaf method, not a chemical solvent method. The plant is in Vancouver, Canada. Decaf $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
Colombian Natural Decaf $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Costa Rican SHB Natural Decaf $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe MC Decaf $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Guatemalan SHB Natural Decaf $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Indonesian Komodo Blend Org SWP D $6.10 $11.59 $26.54 $93.94
Mexican Esmeralda Natural Decaf $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
Mexican Organic/Shade SWP D $6.15 $11.69 $26.75 $94.71
Papua New Guinea Org SWP D $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Sumatra Mandheling Natural Decaf $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
Sumatra Org.GayoMtn SWP Decaf $6.30 $11.97 $27.41 $97.02
Premium Robustas 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Indian Kaapi Royale Robusta
Ateng is a common name for Catimor coffees widely planted in Sumatra and other Indonesia isles.: Ateng, with several subtypes, is a common name for Catimor coffees widely... $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Indian Monsooned RobustaRobusta usually refers to Coffea Robusta, responsible for roughly 25% of the world's commercial coffee. Taxonomy of Robusta is debated: some sources use “Robusta” to refer to any... AA $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Mexican Washed Robusta $3.02 $5.74 $- $-
