2019-03-20 — Guatemala Acatenango Gesha Lot #227

Roast Date: 20 Mar 2019
Roast Level: C+
Duration: 13m30s
First Crack @ 10m30s
1.2lb → 1.027lb; 14% Weight Loss

Sweet Maria’s [wbm]

This Gesha lot makes for an interesting brew to say the least, tea notes proliferate in both aroma and cup flavors, from pearl jasmine to Assam teas. The cup is both floral and brisk, a flavor combo not necessarily unique to Gesha cultivar, but certainly unique to most Latin American coffees. An herbal sweetness marks the aroma, as do licorice tea, and a palm sugar scent as you near Full City. This coffee shows exceptionally well in light to middle roasts, layers of raw sugar sweetness providing a nice backdrop for contrasting floral hints, and herbaceous tea notes like Earl Grey and Darjeeling to stand out against. As the cup cools, sweetness builds in strength, and what starts out as unrefined sugar flavor like demurara, ends up more in line with the mild molasses flavor of date sugar. The cup has moderate acidity that comes off very tea-like, but with a citrus element as well (think black tea with lemon spritz). And while I don’t recommend Full City roasts for brew, as most of the floral and tea notes will be compromised, it makes for a chocolate-y and floral espresso. A sweet toffee taste is underscored by fine, bittersweet cacao bar, and these shots produce incredibly thick body that weighs heavy on the palate.