Review #106: Grit Coffee

Name of Roaster: Grit Coffee

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Charlottesville, Virginia

Name of Roast: Costa Rica La Pastora Tarrazù Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium

Origin of Beans: Kericho County, Tarrazù, Costa Rica Price: $16 (12 oz.) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Twenty-five Days Aroma: Tearing open the bag, we noted baked chocolate chip cookie with browned edges, semisweet chocolate chips, a touch of nutmeg, and milk chocolate. The grind offered bright, rich milk chocolate, light brownie batter, chocolate frosting, and a touch of baking spices underneath. On the pour, wet stone, light brown sugar, caramel, and a hint of honeyed graham showed.

Flavor Profile: The coffee arrived with a mid-to-high entry on the palate, hitting the roof quickly and slowly coating it before dropping on the back end of the tongue. The initial flavor is of a rich, dark mocha that coats the roof, along with a slight wet stone on the tip of the tongue. Secondary flavors of marzipan, almond, pecan, poached pear, soft marmalade and a residual herbaceous note follow, while sharp green apple and lemon play on the tip of the tongue. The sides of the tongue grab soft orange, with cocoa powder showing on the dry finish.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): This is a nice cup for rainy autumn mornings, as it warms you up with a mix of dark chocolate, nut, and bright fruit. It is not the most complex or robust Costa Rican we have reviewed by any means, but it is pleasant and relatively balanced. We found this coffee roaster in a new outdoor mall complex in Charlottesville, and they have a bright and cheery space, so if you end up nearby, we recommend that you pop in for a pick-me-up.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 7.6. Where to Buy: Grit Coffee

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