This is a wonderful example of a balanced, elegant cup of coffee.  The smells are familiar: coffee, flower-perfumy, citrus, with a touch of caramelized brown sugar.  The initial tastes are bright and crisp, like the first apples of Fall.  The dry mouthfeel doesn’t come across as acidic, but more high and bright, and it finishes slightly metallic. There are hints of dry nuttiness –a blend of almonds and cocoa powder with a slight malty-coffee-caramel thread. A new range of flavors emerges once it cools: complex layers of unusual fruit and spices.

The Santa Lucia Estate in Costa Rica took 16th place in the 2008 Cup of Excellence judging.  Farmers Ricardo Perez Barrantes and Rodriguez Villalobos have more than 30 years of coffee farming experience.

In light of the articles and talk about cooking more at home in tough economic times, I wanted to let you all know about Peregrine Coffee, which focuses on bespoke coffee for people who care enough to buy beans, grind and brew at home, or want truly special coffees to complement a specific meal/dessert. My husband Kevin Lawrence is the roaster, and not only do we have single-origin coffees roasted to order in our online store, Peregrine Coffee, but we also offer a free coffee consulting service, as part of the bespoke part of the business. If you know what you like in a cup of joe, you can call or email and work directly with the roaster to source and roast beans to your specifications. If you love coffee but don’t know why, you can try a sample pack and then use the contrasting flavors you find there to start the conversation and Kevin will help guide you to your ideal cup. We basically just love really fresh roasted coffee, and want more people to experience it too. We might not to be able to afford the 6-course tasting menu anymore, but we can treat ourselves to small things, done perfectly!

Posted on Serious Eats!

Experience a free (for a limited time) customized coffee tasting at our roast shop, or in your own Philadelphia area home or workplace.  Sample a variety of coffees from around the world including several not available on our web site.  Discover the coffees that please your personal palate and have the opportunity to purchase a bag, a share, or even a year’s supply of the beans that create your ideal brew.

On September 14, at 8:45a, Peregrine Coffee and Walnut Bridge Coffee House will hold a “round-the-world” coffee tasting.  Please call (215)496-9003 for more information or to reserve a spot.  We can accommodate 8 curious palates!

http://www.walnutbridgecoffeehouse.com

The quintessential Central American chocolate/citrus combination is present in this cup but with a very well rounded, buttery mouth feel and balance that puts this at the top of the region.  Soft, silky-smooth cocoa and chocolate flavors mingle in perfect harmony with lime peel acidity. The finish moves away from the citrus and into a smoky, dark chocolate underworld.

The Matalapa Estate is 4th generation-owned, by Vickie Ann Dalton de Diaz.  The 2008 El Salvador Matalapa Estate was judged and took #10 in the Cup of Excellence.