Review #92: Fresh Start Coffee Roasters

Name of Roaster: Fresh Start Coffee Roasters

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Webster, Wisconsin

Name of Roast: Rwanda Rulindo Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Light Origin of Beans: Rulindo District, Rwanda Price: $12 (16 oz.) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Three Days Aroma: Opening the bag, we noted rich chocolate ganache, dark chocolate cocoa nibs, hot cocoa, graham cracker, and s’mores. On the grind, red berry compote (raspberry, strawberry) emerges, along with baking spices, above a dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate base. On the pour, notes of dark brown sugar, caramel, molasses, sorghum showed.

Flavor Profile: The coffee initially had a high entry on the palate, light bodied and floral, washing across the roof of the mouth. The back end has a mix of cedar, lime, and cocoa. As it cools, body develops with rich semi-dark chocolate covering the middle of the mouth. The front of the roof of the mouth catches a Toblerone-like taste, while the sides of the tongue catch blood orange and soft lime. The front of the tongue, meanwhile, receives hibiscus, lemon, and ripe melon. After a couple of minutes, the coffee turns medium-bodied, with a lush mouthfeel. Cooling further, we noted green apple, pear, and bittersweet chocolate. The coffee initially had a clean finish, with aromatics of mocha, cinnamon, and toasted almond. After cooling, the finish was a tinge herbaceous.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): This coffee punches well above its weight, and the value is one of the best we have seen. Additionally, it paired well across the board, working well with milk, sweets, and savory items. A neat difference about this roaster is that they air roast green beans on demand a pound or half-pound at a time. We walked in expecting to order our beans, and instead we sipped a coffee for 20 minutes while our beans were roasted before our eyes, which was pretty fun. Additionally, roasters are not common in Fresh Start's area, so if you are looking for fresh beans, this roaster is a great option. Highly recommended.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 7.8. Where to Buy: Fresh Start Coffee Roasters Looking to do a review of your own? Hop over to the Community and get to it!