Intelligencia - Nicaragua - Inverted Aeropress

While visiting Milstead and Co, Brent's source of coffee guidance, he spotted some Intelligentsia out of Chicago. These folks are pretty legendary, and we hadn't had some of their coffee in a while, so Brent picked up the Nicaragua.

Immediately dry/savory flavor, with light touches of cocoa and toasted coconut. A little juicy on the finish. Good stuff, but nothing as impressive as we would have expected from Intelligentsia.

Jay's rating: 6
Brent's rating: 8 

Ruby Colorful Coffees, Brazil, Carmo de Minas - Inverted Aeropress

Continuing our quest in the World Cup quarterfinals for a Brazil coffee, we schlepped down to Milstead & Co., where we found not one, but TWO Brazilian beans, one from Coava in Portland, and another from Ruby Colorful Coffees, from Wisconsin, which we had tried back in February, with a Colombian coffee. When posing the question of what the difference would be, we were informed that the Ruby would be a little lighter, and the Coava a little more peanut buttery. The peanut butter we would pass on, so went with the Ruby, Brazil, Carmo de Minas.

On immediate inspection, these were much lighter in color, producing an orange-ochre hue, and got a really healthy amount of bloom:

Notes -
Brent:  This coffee performed well in both the aeropress and in the drip coffee maker.  My impression was a smooth well-rounded flavor, slight sweet notes.  A great morning coffee.

Jay: Roastful flavor, despite lighter roasted than typical Brazilian beans we have had in the past. Opens up to a carmelly-chocolate tone, with floral undertones. I find it by far, to be the best Brazilian coffee I have had yet, as its less roasted tones allow for a much more complex flavor. Worked well on a French press at home, also.



Jay's rating: 8
Brent's rating: 8.5