AcidityAcidity 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... ...more is Your Friend!
Acid is the coffee world’s four-letter word. I hate to put it that way, but you know it’s true! I dance around it in my coffee reviews. I call it 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 or sharpness. I call it livelinessAnother euphemistic term to describe acidity in coffee. A lively coffee has more high, acidic notes. Not to be confused with the brighter roast flavors of light roast... ...more. When a coffee has none, I call it flat, like flat soda pop. But after all this time I still worry that “acid” is a bad word, and nobody will try a coffee if I write it. When people hear about acidity in coffee they reach for their stomachs. In the world of Slurpeesized coffees and pot after pot of office-brewed swill, everyone knows that gnawing feeling. Sometimes it seems our culture really doesn’t want to enjoy coffee… that we almost want it to be a miserable experience. We drink it when we are stressed, when we haven’t had enough sleep, we drink it for its effect, not for its taste. (Of course, I refer not to refined “connoisseurs” such as you and I, dear reader. We of course never drink coffee for the caffeineAn alkaloidal compound that has a physiological effect on humans, and a bittering taste. It is found throughout the coffee plant but is more concentrated in the seed... ...more!) We drink it in haste, not taking time to ponder the complexity of flavors it might offer. And we drink it on an empty stomach, triggering our digestive system to produce digestive acidsMany acids contribute to coffee flavor: acetic, malic, citric, quinic, tartaric, phosphoric, etc.: Many acids contribute to coffee flavor; malic, citric, quinic, tartaric, phosphoric, etc. See Acidity or... ...more when there is nothing in our system to truly digest. While there’s nothing that can be done about how people use coffee, if they chose to chug it or not, it’s worth addressing some myths about acidity in coffee. After all, acidity is one of the primary positive qualities in truly great coffees, but it is maligned explicitly and implicitly, everyday on TV ads for Rolaids, or in coffees promoted as low-acid. Yes, there are people who are so sensitive to acids that the good type of acidity we find in the best coffees affects them badly, and there are also good low-acid coffees (such as the Indonesians). But low acidity from most origins (for example, any Central American coffeeCentral American coffee is known for its "classic," balanced profile.: Central American coffee is known for its "classic," balanced profile. Centrals are primarily wet-processed since the climate is... ...more) means inferior quality; so it is acidity that separates low-grown mild, innocuous coffees from their high-altitude counterparts. There is good acidity and bad acidity in coffee. The types of acid in coffee are too numerous to list, but the
primary ones are called chlorogenic acids, as well as acetic, malic, citric and quinic acids. All these are 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 components in raw coffee that, while degraded during roasting, still survive to contribute positively to the cup (they are organolepticOrganoleptic refers to any sensory properties of, in this case, the coffee beverage. It involves flavor, color, odor and mouthfeel. Organoleptic testing involves inspection through visual examination, smelling... ...more components in the cup quality of coffee). But in bad combinations or high quantity they can also produce bad cup quality. In fact, 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 (coffeaThe botanical genus colloquially referred to as the “coffea genus,” which is comprised of over 120 individual species. These are generally opposite-leaved, evergreen shrubs or small understory trees... ...more canephora), the cheap low-grown species of coffee, has more of the primarily positive organoleptic acids, that being the chlorogenic acids! That explains why your supermarket blend of cheap coffees will gnaw
at your stomach. Bad acidity might be higher in quantity and lacking in taste quality. How do we explain that lower concentrations of acids produce good flavor without giving us ulcers? Well, that’s the million-dollar question and if you happen to know the answer, Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Kraft would really like to speak to you! Good, bright flavors come from a balanceSuggests a harmony and proportion of qualities, and implies mildness since no one quality dominates.: Balance is both an obvious and slippery taste term. It implies a harmony... ...more and interplay between the chlorogenic acids that are difficult to reproduce in a lab, which is why bad coffee cannot be improved chemically after it is picked from the tree. Let’s take Kenyas for example; Kenyas are the powerhouse of good, bright acidic coffees and a Kenyan coffee without acidity is not a Kenyan. In fact, I started thinking about all this with the recent arrival of our 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 Thunguri coffee; not the brightest Kenya we have had this year (Rugeju gets that prize) but with a unique midrange, ripe-fruit acidity. I always think of highly acidic Kenyas as being nippy, piquantMeaning pleasantly pungent or zesty in taste, spicy, provocative, sapid. ...more, citrusyQualities in coffee that are reminiscent of a citrus fruit; orange, lemon, grapefruit, kumquat, etc.: Qualities in coffee that are reminiscent of a citrus fruit; orange, lemon, grapefruit,... ...more, grapefruit-flavored. Thunguri reminds me distinctly of well-ripened orangeOrange aromatics and flavors are prized in coffee, whether they take the form of sweet orange flesh and pulp, or orange peel. Orange flavors or aromatics can range... ...more, sweet and full acidity, complimented by wonderful 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... ...more. This flavor is married to the acids, to the brightness in this cup, which only registers around the midrange, but works perfectly to deliver this lush, delicious ripe-fruit flavor. I have never had a Kenyan coffee that strikes this perfect balance between fresh fruit, and wineyness, two poles of the Kenya flavor range that are often referred to. Thunguri is right in the middle: ripe. Space and time limit me from babbling on, but I hope this makes you reconsider the sense that the term acidity has in coffee. I will continue to call it other things (liveliness, brightness) but you know I am just scared to use that four-letter word: acid! -Tom
The Holidays … (oh no!)
To paraphrase from Charles Dickens, the holidays are both the best and worst of times for us here at Sweet Maria’s. We have been lucky enough in past years to have successful holiday seasons (thanks to many of you!), and this year will probably be the same. This means, however, that we work longer hours and the stress level is pretty high. Actually I am surprised how well the last seasons have gone, and basically there were only delays in shipping just after the Thanksgiving break. But some troubles result from the fact the UPS and the Post Office hire a lot of temporary labor, people who seem to punt packages, and get lost in their own parking lot. So if we take longer to get back to your email or ship your order, know that we will get to it as soon as we can. The inevitable mess-up or broken or misplaced package is bound to happen, and I know that can be especially irksome at holiday time. So please be patient with us during our busiest time of year, and hopefully we will all (including folks who work in retail!) will have a glad and peaceful holiday season. –Maria
Sweet Maria’s Coffee
1455 64th Street, Emeryville CA 94608
web: www.sweetmarias.com
email: [email protected]
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 Oct. 15 2003.
Central American 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Costa Rican Auction Lot -El Legendario $7.50 $14.25 $33.75 $121.50
Costa Rican Tarrazu – Llano Bonito $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
Costa Rican Tres Rios – La Laguna $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
Costa Rican – La Magnolia $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Costa Rican La Minita Tarrazu $6.80 $12.92 $30.26 $108.80
Costa Rican Santa Elena “Miel” $4.70 $8.93 $20.45 $72.38
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 Cup of Exc. – San Francisco $6.60 $12.54 $29.70 $106.92
El Salvador Chalatenango- Zona Alta $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
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 -La Flor del Café $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Guatemala Organic Coban – El Tirol $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Guatemala Huehuetenango -Huixoc $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Guatemala Huehuetenango-La Maravilla $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
HondurasHonduran coffee was absent from the top ranks of the Specialty market, but that has changed. It has all the environmental factors on its side: soil, altitude, climate.... ...more SHG – Selin Recinos $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Honduras Org. SHG – Sebastian Melgar $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Mexican Oaxaca Pluma-Tres Oros 5142 $4.30 $8.17 $18.71 $66.22
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 Cup of Exc. – Co-op 22. $6.50 $12.35 $29.25 $105.30
Nicaragua Org/FT Segovia -Miraflores $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
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 $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Nicaragua Matagalpa PacamaraAs the name implies, Pacamara is a large bean cultivar, a cross between Pacas and Maragogype with unique flavor properties. This variant originated in El Salvador in 1958,... ...more 19+ $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Nicaragua Matagalpa – San Martin 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 $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
PanamaPanama coffee ranges from medium quality lower altitude farms to those at 1600 - 1800 meters centered in the area of Boquete in the Chirqui district near the... ...more Auction Lot -Elida Estate $6.20 $11.78 $26.97 $95.48
Panama Boquette -Finca La Berlina $5.40 $10.26 $23.49 $83.16
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 Caranavi “Colonial” $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
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 FazendaFazenda is the Portuguese word for farm, hence it is the term used in Brazil. Fazenda is not a coffee-specific term. ...more Vargem Grande $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
Colombian Huila 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... ...more Lot 4286 $4.40 $8.36 $19.14 $67.76
Colombian Narino -San Lorenzo $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Colombian Organic Mesa de Los Santos $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
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... ...more Organic Norte -Perunor $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
African- Arabian 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Ethiopian Ghimbi Lot 5025 $4.20 $7.98 $18.27 $64.68
Ethiopian Harar Horse Lot 4338 $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Ethiopian Organic Sidamo Dry-Process $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Lot 4452 $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Ethiopian Organic/FT Yirgacheffe $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Kenya AA Auction Lot -Kihenia $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Kenya AA Auction Lot -Mbwinjeru $5.45 $10.36 $23.71 $83.93
Kenya AA Auction Lot -Thunguri $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
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... ...more AA Organic Bugisu $4.40 $8.36 $19.14 $67.76
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) $7.80 $14.82 $36.27 $124.80
Yemen Mokha Haimi $7.20 $13.68 $33.48 $115.20
Indonesian- Indian 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
BaliCoffee from the Indonesian island of Bali was formerly sold mainly to the Japanese market. Perhaps it is the changing face of world economics that finds the first... ...more Shinzan 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... ...more $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
Indian Monsooned Malabar Coehlo’s Gold $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Indian Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
Indian Pearl Mountain 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 $4.80 $9.12 $20.88 $73.92
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 -Kinjibi Estate A $4.90 $9.31 $21.32 $75.46
Papua New Guinea -Kimel A 4689 $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
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 1 $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
Sulawesi Aged Kalossi Toraja $6.00 $11.40 $26.10 $92.40
Aged 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 Lintong $5.80 $11.02 $25.23 $89.32
Sumatra AcehThe northernmost district in SumatraL Aceh District is north of North Sumatra and produces some very classic Sumatra coffees. The center of coffee in Aceh is Lake Tawar... ...more Gold Super-Prep $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Sumatra Iskandar Triple-Pick $5.30 $10.07 $23.06 $81.62
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... ...more DP Lot 8809 $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
Islands- Blends -Etc. 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
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.... ...more Kona-well Farms $13.80 $26.50 $64.17 $220.80
Hawaii Koa KonaKona coffee comes from farms along the Kona Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii: Kona coffee comes from farms along the Kona Coast on the Big Island... ...more “Baba’s Beans” XF $15.20 $29.18 $70.68 $243.20
JamaicaJamaica coffee can be excellent mild, lush coffee... sometimes. Like Kona and Puerto Rican coffee, it is soft, mild, clean and well balanced when it is good.: Ah... ...more Blue Mountain – Mavis Bank $19.40 $37.25 $90.21 5 lb limit
SM’s Moka Kadir Blend $5.60 $10.64 $24.36 $86.24
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... ...more 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 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
African Highland WP Decaf Blend $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Brazil Prima Qualita WP Decaf $4.60 $8.74 $20.01 $70.84
Colombian Huila Natural Decaf $4.50 $8.55 $19.58 $69.30
Colombian Santa Isabella WP Decaf $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Costa Rican Monte Crisol WP Decaf $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Ethiopian Harar Horse WP Decaf $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Ethiopian WP Decaf -Sidamo DP $5.00 $9.50 $21.75 $77.00
Kenya AA WP Decaf $5.50 $10.45 $23.93 $84.70
Mexican Esmeralda Natural Decaf $4.40 $8.36 $19.14 $67.76
Sulawesi Toraja WP Decaf $5.10 $9.69 $22.19 $78.54
Sumatra WP Decaf $5.20 $9.88 $22.62 $80.08
Premium Robustas 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 20 lb
Indian Organic Washed 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... ...more $4.20 $7.98 $18.27 $64.68
Uganda Robusta -Nanga Farms $4.00 $7.60 $17.40 $61.60
Vietnam Gr. 4 Commercial Robusta $0.70 1 lb limit! See review!
