Review #97: Porto Rico Importing Co.

Name of Roaster: Porto Rico Importing Co.

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): New York, New York

Name of Roast: Organic Fair Trade French Peru CAC Pangoa Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Dark

Origin of Beans: Peru Price: $11.49 (16 oz.) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Forty-Seven Days Aroma: We unfurled the top of the bag to open it, initially noting sharp dark chocolate cake, the roast note, and fresh-baked rye bread. After the grind, baking spices, Mexican cocoa, more bready notes, and high grade dark chocolate were found on the nose. On the pour, strong brown sugar, caramel, pure cane sugar, and nougat showed.

Flavor Profile: The sip arrived with a light-bodied entry, low on the palate, with aromatics rising to the roof of the mouth. Rich, deep chocolate, medium dark in flavor, along with a creamy caramel and some cinnamon notes showed initially, while warm toasted almond arrived shortly thereafter. The sides of the tongue picked up lemon and bitter orange, but those notes were overpowered by the aforementioned flavors. The coffee finished with balance and mellow aromatics of spiced chocolate.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): This coffee was rather mellow for a dark roast, showing the flavor of the beans rather than solely of the roaster, which was a welcome surprise after our first forays into reviewing dark roasts. We paired the coffee with buttered sourdough toast, and it was a lovely savory pairing. The coffee also blends well with milk, making this a solid, economical option for those seeking a specialty coffee roaster in the heart of New York City.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 7.3. Where to Buy: Porto Rico Importing Co.

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