Monteverde- Grille' 000 - Harfleur, France

Coffea BP 39, 76600 Harfleur, France, www.coffea.fr

Preparation:   Cuisinart Drip

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:  8
Balance:   9
Flavor:   9
Smoothness:   8

Likes:
     Bold
     Complex
     Full Bodied
     Sweet 
     Dark
     Lemony

Dislikes:
   

Summary:

Bonnie and Jim brought these 100% Arabica coffee beans back from France for me! (and some more that I have yet to try)  Awesome!  I asked Jim to tell me a little about where they found this wonderful coffee:
 

"Both were bought in Vence, France, an old walled village dating to the 4th century, about 30 minutes north of Nice.  The one in the vacuum pack was bought in the grocery store among an array of others packed like that.  Don't know much more than that, except that we picked it out for whatever consumer reasons people have ... red package, eye level, it looked like we would like it and probably you would too. 

The other, we spent 20 minutes sampling various coffees in the heart of the old village in a modern shop that was nicer than any Starbucks or Tully's or Peet's.  A patient and friendly sames woman spent lots of time making certain that we bought what we would like.  We got our own pound of the same as you got.  We tasted several bitter coffees and this stood out for its more mellow and smooth, yet strong flavor.  You will taste it differently, probably."

Now this sounds like a coffee shop that I would like to stop and visit.  The only problem is that I don't have plans to be in France anytime soon.  So, for now I will just have to close my eyes and take a sip and let my imagination soar!

This is a very complex and unique coffee!  The beans are dark and slightly shiny, but they still have retained the flavorful qualities of a lighter roast.  It nips and bites in a teasing way.  It is heavy and sweet but, packs a citrus punch finale.  The ground beans frothed and foamed when the hot water dripped slowly on them.  (As you know this is a very good sign of freshness!)  In summary, Monteverde coffee is bright, sweet and bold.  Serve this extroverted coffee in the late afternoon and immerse your senses and your palate with delight! Thank you Bonnie and Jim!!!!

***High in the mountains of Costa Rica, some of the world’s best coffee is grown.  It is called the Monteverde region. There are 75 small coffee producers there who grow their beans in an environmentally  friendly manner as they voluntarily restrict their use of pesticides.  The volcanic soil is very fertile and when combined with the climate of rain and the shade from the Monteverde Cloud Forrest, a truly wonderful coffee bean is created.