Finally, after a holiday in the Eifel and the Moselle wine region of Germany, I find some time to sit down and write (and there is so much to write). I will soon tell you about this beautiful region, but this time I wanted to write about that a couple of weeks ago I felt back the excitement of being part of a coffee tasting like I did before in Mexico when I worked for a famous coffee company.
Public Coffee Roasters
When you think of third wave coffee, Public Coffee Roasters’ coffees are without a doubt one of the first places that come up to mind. It is one of the most iconic coffee roasters based in Hamburg, focusing on every detail, from the selection of coffee in small farms around the world to the importation of the beans, the roasting, and the distribution.
The cupping took place in the newest of its 3 coffee shops, located in the center of Hamburg: Brandstwiete 3. A modern, clear designed, well-lit and perfectly located cafeteria near offices and touristic attractions. All the interior design is the responsibility of the London brand MADE, with this cooperation you will be able to order online that comfortable chair from where you are sipping coffee. It also has a large terrace with a view of the Speicherstadt.
*As a footnote, each of the coffee shops has its own style and personality.
What would Jesus brew?
I think that coffee is like wine and the best coffee is the one that you like best. The advantage of being able to be part of a coffee tasting is not only the opportunity to learn more about coffee, its processes, roasts or aromas, but you can also in a short time enjoy different options that can be very different from each other and share opinions. I’m happy because I found here a coffee flavor profile that I haven’t tasted in a long time and that I love. This coffee is Elida, a Panama coffee with floral and cranberry notes. It is sun-dried and that is why its flavor is unique. It reminds me very much of Starbucks’ Reserve Blue Java. Well, they say that the good things take some time and that is exactly what happens with this coffee because it is because of the climate of the zone that causes that the coffee trees take more time to grow and therefore their cherries to ripen.
En el coffee tasting pudimos probar 5 diferentes cafés 3 de ellos de tostadoras en Estados Unidos y 2 de la casa Public Coffee Roasters:
- Lamplighter (Perú)
Farm of Gomez Muñoz Elías. Notes of blueberries, marzipan and lime. - Blanchard’s (Colombia)
“Paraíso” variety Geisha from the farm of José Ignacio Gómez. Notes of sugar cane, jasmine and honeysuckle. - Loyal Coffee (Kenya)
Notes of apple, strawberry, lemon and maple syrup. - Public Coffee Roasters (Kenya)
“Kariru”. Notes of physalis and orange. - Public Coffee Roasters (Panamá)
“Elida”. Juicy and fruity with notes of orange and blackberry. We tried 2 different roasts, one of 12 minutes and the other of 14.
How is a coffee taste done?
If you have no idea what I’m talking about here, I’ll explain it to you. Tasting a coffee is quite common, not only to perceive its aroma and flavors but also during the roasting process to control quality.
First, the coffee beans are observed and compared, then they are ground to medium or coarse grind. The smell and the color of the coffee are compared again. Then the cup is filled with water before the boiling point and left to stand for 4 minutes to allow the necessary chemical reactions to occur in the coffee compounds and for it to settle. Once the 4 minutes have passed, the “cream” formed on the surface is removed with a spoon to take away some residues of the coffee and to remove the bitter taste. Finally, the tasting process begins.
Sipping coffee out loud!
Once the coffee is ready, you will perform the aroma ritual again. Here you should try to define the aromas of each coffee. Some of them smell like nuts, wood, caramel, fruit and even I have smelled coffees that smell like tuna (I swear). Now it’s time to savor it, for this you will do it with a spoon and you’ll have to sip heavily. Sip? Yeah, even if your mom told you not to sip, this time you will. Why? Well, when you do it, you oxygenate your taste buds and your tongue is in complete contact with the coffee. Then you do that with every single coffee.
Now it’s time to describe it. What kind of body does it have? What’s the acidity of the coffee? What notes do you find in the coffee? Chocolate, caramel, blackberry, orange, walnut…. Share with whoever’s next to you! Coffee tastings are usually social and it is incredible to exchange opinions and experiences.
Definitely, my favorite was the Elida. In 2013 and 2016 it was awarded as the best non-Geisha coffee in Panama and in 2018 the Lamastus family, owner of the farm, won the cup.
Excellent coffee tasting by Public Coffee Roasters, great coffee, good company and good atmosphere!
Where and when?
Brandstwiele 3 Mo-Fr 7:30-18:00
20457 Hamburg Sa-So 10:00-18:00
Wexstraße 28 Mo-Fr 8:30-18:00
20355 Hamburg Sa-So 10:30-18:00
Goldbekplatz 1 Mo-Fr 7:45-19:00
22303 Hamburg Sa-So 10:00-19:00
Free Wi-Fi: Yes
Hello! It's me! I am a dog lover Mexican girl living in Europe. This is my blog, where I share a little piece of me and my life. So if you are interested in traveling, food and responsible consumption...welcome!
