Ok, so I've been insanely busy the last few weeks and haven’t had a chance to stop and breathe. Got a bunch of home renovations done and the place looks great! Then I was had a neck injury for a while that ha now gone pretty much a way and I'm feeling tip top!
Ran a few roasts a few days ago in the Alp. Put in 3 batches, 1 was Malabar Gold blend, 2 was the last sample Bag of Columbian that comes with the alp and 3 was some Costa Rican SHB given to me by a good friend Craig A.
I've never been a fan of the Malabar Gold, and i think it has to do with the taste that is imparted by the Funky Monssooned Malabar beans in the blend. Its an OK espresso, but i had to start using up some of the 5lbs i had ordered. Again not bad but not great either. People rave about this blend but it just doesnt click with me.
The Columbian that comes as a sample pack with Alp, is a surprising one, not stellar to the caliber of green offered by SM, but it holds its own. This is a great coffee at very little rest and a very easy to roast bean. It works in the Vac Pot as well as a single origin espresso so I was fine with that.
The Costa Rican, was my fave of the 3, made a great cup in the Vac Pot. I'm really starting to appreciate the brightness in beans over the body. Costa Ricans have consistently provided me with a great cup in the eVac. So I will be ordering a good sampling of the CR beans offered by SM. I want to try a batch of them and find out what subtleties lie in them.