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... ...more, Kenya, Kenya
To adapt a Homer Simpson line, I am an admitted “Kenyaholic.” … I simply can’t get enough Kenyahol “What is Kenyahol” you ask? It’s the secret ingredient that makes Kenya coffees so damn fine. In terms of intensityWe have a simple scale to rate intensity in our coffee reviews, from Mild to Bold. Low intensity does not mean low quality!: We have a simple scale... ...more, brightnessA euphemistic term we use often to describe acidity in coffee. A bright coffee has more high, acidic notes. : A euphemistic term to describe acidity in coffee.... ...more, and 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... ...more a Kenya’s only rival in wet-processed coffees are the Yirgacheffe and Sidamo washed lots. Yet the range of Kenya coffees, from mild and balanced to overthe- top, mouth-puckering acidic lots is vast. Kenyas come in all shapes and sizes, and fortunately it is offered in a way that allows quality-minded roasters to buy exactly the lot they want: the Kenya Coffee Board Auction System. More on that later. The 5 cent history: Coffee was planted in 1893 when the Congregation of the Holy Spirit brought 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,... ...more varietal plants from 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... ...more, which was given the local nickname “French Mission” cultivarCultivar is a term used interchangeably with Varietal in the coffee trade to indicate plant material, although there are distinctions.: The naming of a cultivar should conform to... ...more. The majority of coffee grown now is SL-28Scott Laboratories of Kabete Kenya developed the selection SL-28 Kenya cultivar, a preferred type with Bourbon, in 1935. It supposedly is selected from Tanganyika Drought Resistant cultivar, found... ...more and SL-34Scott Labs selection 34 Kenya cultivar, a preferred type with French Mission Bourbon heritage. It supposedly is selected from French Mission Bourbon trees at Loresho Estate in Kabete... ...more. (I list the types in our coffee reviews of specific lots). These two strains originated with the original French Mission seedstock re-worked in the 1950s by Guy Gibson and Scott LaboratoriesScott Agricultural Laboratories AKA Scott Labs was a commercial research organization that was founded in 1903 by the Kenya Colonial Administration under British colonial rule. It moved to... ...more. There are 40 “SL” strains developed over time that have good cup character and beneficial disease resistance. The recent Riuri 11 cultivar is a dwarf, high-yield, disease-resistant strain. It was of grave concern to cup-quality purists (in brief, it sucks) but totals just 3% of all Kenya coffee; it is not much of a threat, really. All Kenya lots from estates and small cooperatives (called “societies”) are sold each Tuesday in the auction. In a remarkable feat, samples are distributed globally, cupped by any interested party, and bid upon based on cup character. Price is determined by the level of competition for any specific lot, and a small roaster can get their precious 20 bags despite the best efforts of a huge company with a more limited price point. It also means that there is no pressure put on the producers to cut deals at lower prices in order to sell more coffee, at lower prices … hence the incentive for quality over quantity is intact. And allegiance is given to the cup more than the particular 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... ...more or mill or exporter; cup quality reigns supreme! There are problems with the system, especially in recent years as Kenya is no longer held as the democratic jewel of East Africa, and as the country’s infrastructure shows some serious cracks. It is however an unparalleled model of quality-driven coffee distribution. As with any 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... ...more, a coffee’s greatness is uncovered in the cup (why you can’t simply buy coffee by region, or even by farm name). Kenya allows the dodgy lots to flounder as they should, and the pearls to be discovered by whomever is willing to pay more. And the farm or co-op benefits directly from the higher price they so rightly deserve … although the system costs a lot to run, and a hefty cut comes out for logistics. In recent years, the cut has grown larger, sadly. Such a jewel of a coffee, such a wonderful country … will corruption lay a proverbial “turd in the punchbowl”? We devote a lot of effort to cuppingCupping 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.... ...more Kenya coffees, starting with the early lots in January (remember, a January sample would take about 2 months to arrive). Early lots tend to be from the Meru, then Embu district, then Murang’a, and Kirinyaga, later Nyeris. These 5 are the primary areas we buy from. There are 3 other growing regions; Kiambu, Machako, and Nakuru (Solai). We have bought Kiambu, but never from the latter two areas. This year is stellar! We have already offered 3 lots (Ithima, Mbaranga, Mbwinjeru) and have a whopping 5 more coming! Don’t dare ask me to pick a favorite. These are coffees I chose in blind cupping out of hundreds of samples in many successive weeks of cupping through the auction season. Each one is a coffee that leapt out at me, that was far superior to the surrounding lots. If they don’t arrive in Oakland equally as impressive as the sample we can reject them using our right-ofrefusal. (This happened just once this year so far). Kenyas are different, and not all fit a stereotype of acidic, citric, “twist of your tongue” brightness. There are darkly fruitedIn 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... ...more Kenyas, lush, deep coffees, weighty. There are wildly aromatic, “fruit punch” cups, and more focused character-driven profiles. Yes, there is citrus, sometimes a lot of it. Roast tastes vary from translucent and sweet to hefty, 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" ...more bittersweets. Can you compare the merits of such diverse and beautiful coffees by one standard? It would be cruel. My advice is to sample a selection of these coffees, find the one that fires up your papillaThe mushroom-like projections on the tongue that contain taste buds.: Papilla (or Papillae in plural) mushroom-like projections on the tongue that contain taste buds. These perceive basic flavors... ...more (uh, taste buds), and keep your mind open to the possibilities of what a Kenya coffee can do. Kenya in 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... ...more? For me, the thought was heresy a couple years ago. But, used in moderation, the aromatics can be outrageous, the wineyA taste term to describe a wine-like flavor with a similar perceived acidity and fruit, and some level of acetic acid. It is found most commonly in East... ...more, berry and black currant fruits: intoxicating! Kenyahol … it is addictive. -Tom
Sweet Maria’s Green CoffeeGreen 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,... ...more Offering List
on July 10, 2005 – check the web page for the latest list
Central American 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Costa RicaCosta Rican coffee is typically very clean, sweet, with lots of floral accents. hey are prized for their high notes: bright citrus or berry-like flavors in the acidity,... ...more Dota Tarrazu -Conquistador $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Costa Rica Tres Rios -La Magnolia $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Costa Rica La Minita Tarrazu $6.80 $12.92 $30.26 $108.80
Costa Rica “SM Select” 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... ...more $5.85 $11.12 $25.45 $90.09
El SalvadorEl Salvador coffee had an undeservingly poor reputation for years, marred mostly by the inability to deliver coffee of high quality in an unstable political climate. Unfortunately, agriculture... ...more Monte Leon “Miel” $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
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... ...more Antigua PeaberryThe 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... ...more “Especial” $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Guatemala 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... ...more Coban -El Tirol $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Guatemala Huehuetenango -El Injerto $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
MexicoMexican coffee originates from South-central to Southern regions of the country. For that reason, coffees from Coatepec and Veracruz are much different from Oaxacan Plumas, which are in... ...more Chiapas -Udepom Co-op $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Mexico Organic Oaxaca -Finca El Olivo $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Mexico Oaxaca Pluma -Tres Oros $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
NicaraguaNicaraguan coffees from the Segovia, Jinotega, Ocotal and Matagalpa regions are nice balanced cups. They often possess interesting cup character along with body and balance, outperforming many other... ...more -Mama Mina Estate $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Nicaragua Matagalpa 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... ...more $5.70 $10.83 $24.80 $87.78
South American 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
BoliviaBolivia has always been a coffee origin with great potential, the potential to have a unique Specialty coffee offering with unique cup character.: There's no better way to... ...more Organic – Cenaproc “Peaberry” $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
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... ...more Carmo Estate Pulp-Natural $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
Brazil Cerrado -Lot 141 Wagner Ferrero $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Brazil FazendaFazenda is the Portuguese word for farm, hence it is the term used in Brazil. Fazenda is not a coffee-specific term. ...more Ipanema “Dulce” $4.30 $8.17 $18.71 $66.22
Brazil Fazenda Santa Helena $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Brazil Sul de Minas Yellow BourbonYellow Bourbon is a subtype that has fruit which ripens to a yellow color, found mainly in Brazil where it was first grown. Bourbon coffees are named for... ...more $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
ColombiaColombian coffee is highly marketed and widely available in the US. They have been largely successful at equating the name Colombian Coffee with "Good" Coffee. This is half-true.... ...more Cup of Exc.- Pradera Esperanza $8.90 $16.91 $38.72 $137.06
Colombia Huila – Oparapa Micro-regionWe use this term to denote a coffee-producing sub-region within a larger coffee area - Micro-Region is more specific coffee-producing zone. For example, if the Country for a... ...more $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Colombia Huila – Palestina Micro-region $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
African- Arabian 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Ethiopian Harar Horse -Lot 532 $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Ethiopian Org/FT DP Sidamo $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Ethiopian Wet-Processed Sidamo $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe (MAO) $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Kenya AA Auction Lot 707 -Ithima $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
Kenya AA Auction Lot 661 -Mbaranga $5.30 $10.07 $23.06 $81.62
Kenya AA Auction Lot – Mbwinjeru $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Kenya Gicherori arr 7/15/05 – Kenya Gethumbwini arr. 7/18/05
RwandaA Bourbon cultivar variant from Rwanda and Burundi. Bourbon coffees are named for the island in the India Ocean where French colonists grew it. Some history from the... ...more Gatare Grade A $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
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... ...more AAA Songea $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
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,... ...more 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... ...more Ismaili (Hirazi) $7.50 $14.25 $34.88 $120.00
Yemen Mokha Sana’ani $6.40 $12.16 $29.76 $102.40
ZimbabweZimbabwe, 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... ...more AAA+ Dandoni Estate $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Indonesian- Indian 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Indian Monsooned Malabar Coehlo’s Gold $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Indian Monsooned Malabar “Elephant” $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
JavaThere 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... ...more Government Estate – Blawan $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
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... ...more -Kimel Plantation $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
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... ...more Toraja Grade One $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
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... ...more Organic Maubesse $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
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... ...more Iskandar Triple-Pick $5.30 $10.07 $23.06 $81.62
Sumatra Lintong Dry-Process $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
Sumatra Gr.1 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... ...more DP $5.30 $10.07 $23.06 $81.62
Islands- Blends -Etc. 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
AustraliaAustralian coffee bears resemblance in the cup to the soft "Island Coffee" flavor profile. Coffee cultivation began in Australia in 1880 and continued through 1926, but was found... ...more Mountain Top Estate XF $10.40 $19.97 $48.36 5 lb limit
SM’s Moka Kadir Blend $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
SM’s Espresso Monkey Blend $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
SM’s Classic Italian Espresso Blend $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
SM’s Decaf Espresso Blend $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
SM’s Liquid Amber Espresso Blend $5.30 $10.07 $23.06 $81.62
SM’s French RoastSugars are heavily caramelized (read as burned) and are degraded; the woody bean structure is carbonizing, the seed continues to expand and loose mass, the body of the... ...more Blend $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
SM’s Puro Scuro Blend $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
SM’s Roasted 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... ...more $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Decafs 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Brazil Mogiana WP Decaf $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
Colombian WP Decaf $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
Costa Rica SHB WP Decaf $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Ethiopian WP Decaf (Sidamo) $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
Indonesian Organic SWPSWP means Swiss Water Process is a patented water filtration decaf method, not a chemical solvent method. The plant is in Vancouver, Canada. ...more Komodo Blend $5.70 $10.83 $24.80 $87.78
Mexico Esmeralda Natural Decaf $4.85 $9.22 $21.10 $74.69
Mexico Oaxaca Tres Oros WP Decaf $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Sumatra Natural Decaf $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Sumatra WP Decaf $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Premium Robustas 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Indian RobustaAteng 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... ...more -Devaracadoo Estate $4.40 $8.36 $19.14 $67.76
Hills Bros. proprietary continuous coffee roasterA machine for roasting coffee. Or the person operating it! The basic requirements for a coffee roaster are a heating element that gets suitably hot and a mechanism... ...more circa 1927, San Francisco. It
roasted just a few pounds at a time, but had a capacity of 1,000 Lbs. per hour
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Sweet Maria’s Coffee
1115 21st Street, Oakland CA 94607
web: www.sweetmarias.com
email: [email protected]
