2019-01-30 — Ethiopia Wet Process Hambela Hassan

Roast Date: 30 Jan 2019
Roast Level: C+
Duration: 13m57s
First Crack @ 10m56s
1.2lb → 1.03lb; 14% Weight Loss

Sweet Maria’s (wbm)

Delicious and delicate, this wet processed lot from Hambela Hassan is as sweet as it is floral, complex top notes burgeoning from the cups of light and middle roasts, and vibrant acidity helps construct a dynamic cup. The dry fragrance has perfumed florals, with a smell of peaches and cream, and a soft hint of vanilla. The wetted grounds of City roasts extend an aroma of peach, apricot, and nectarine, fruited smells with the volume of a natural process coffee, but more tea-like, and delicate in nature. City roasting is where it’s at for me, a lovely cup profile built from notes of stone fruit and citrus, and easily discernible jasmine floral accents. The hot cup has apricot and Assam tea flavors, crystal clear sweetness, and with a very low bittering coffee tone underneath. As the coffee cools down some, a tangerine note presents a tart/sweet aspect that adds structure to the cup, and a layer of raw cane juice is experienced from start to finish. Citrus acidity seems to grow as you move through the coffee, and fruited flavors shift from apricot/nectarine, to tangy orange, pink grapefruit, and more. Hambela Hassan has a clean finish, and a flavor of English Breakfast tea highlights the long aftertaste. I did try a Full City roast too, but found that smokey roast tones detracted from the complexity found a couple shades lighter.