A Trio of Fair Trade Organic Coffees from Sumatra

Sumatra, an island of Indonesia, is the largest producer of Indonesian coffee. The coffees from Sumatra are bold in character, and hold up particularly well in the roasting process. That’s why so many of the dark roast options at Armeno Coffee Roasters are coffees from Sumatra. Other coffees that have excellent flavor at a Full City roast, quickly break down as the roast progresses to leave you with that burnt taste that, unfortunately, is often mistaken for sophisticated coffee flavor.

Photo by Sue Teplansky

At Armeno, we prefer to taste the bean and not the burn, and we take care to apply the darker roast to coffees that hold their flavor through the process. Sumatra Takengon, a fair trade organic coffee from the Gayo region of Indonesia is one of these coffees, and Armeno offers the coffee in three distinctive roasts: Full City, Viennese, and French Roast. Each of these three roasting stages represents a mere 30 seconds of additional roasting time, but the effect on coffee flavor is significant.

This is where coffee roasting blends art with chemistry. The process of roasting coffee beans first drives the moisture from the bean. As the structure of the bean begins to break down and the oils begin to migrate outward, an audible “crack” may be heard. In the large Armeno coffee roaster, this almost sounds like popping corn. The bean has begun to turn a light brown at this point, and the aroma of roasted coffee floats on the air. As the bean darkens, and the sugars caramelize, you reach the stage known as full city roast. At this stage, the Armeno Sumatra Takengon coffee produces a cup with a rich and sweet flavor.

As the coffee bean continues to roast, the breakdown of the bean continues and you hear a second “crack” indicative of the Viennese roast. For many coffees, the characteristics of the roast begin to eclipse the flavor of the bean, but Armeno Sumatra Takengon holds up particularly well. The caramelized sugars maintain the sweetness of the cup, but the acidity has begun to break down, along with the fruity characteristics of the coffee. If you enjoy a darker flavor, but aren’t a fan of French Roast, the Sumatra Tankengon Viennese may be for you.

As the coffee darkens, the sugars burn away and the oils are pushed further out of the bean, creating an oily sheen. The coffee takes on a smokey characteristic. This is the French Roast. The trick for the coffee roaster is to halt the process while the flavor of the bean remains. This requires both a coffee roasting artist (Armeno coffee roaster, John Parks), and a coffee bean with strong character (in this case, Sumatra Takengon Fair Trade Organic). Otherwise, all you are left with is the burn. Armeno Sumatra Takengon French Roast delivers a dark, bold flavor that maintains the integrity of the coffee bean while delivering the darker coffee flavor preferred by many coffee drinkers.

Armeno offers one pound and half-pound bags of each of these roasts. Why not plan your own side by side comparison? Post your impressions on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/armenocoffeeroasters.

Enjoy!

 

Beat the Heat with Armeno Coffee on Ice

Aerobie AeroPress from Armeno Coffee Roasters

July brings the hottest weather for New England, and this July has been the hottest in a very long time. To help you beat the heat, we thought we’d share Armeno Coffee roaster, John Parks’, recipe for iced coffee.

John starts with the Aerobie AeroPress.  It makes a concentrated coffee that is sweet and strong.  Choose your favorite Armeno coffee.  The Mocha Java or Sumatra Fair Trade Viennese makes a great iced coffee.  The grind should be finer than paper but not as fine as espresso.  Fill a pint glass with ice and put two to three scoops in the AeroPress.  Add 175 degree water, stir about ten seconds and then push down the plunger.  Add milk or cold water to fill the glass and enjoy.

Armeno coffee fans have been posting their own cool drink ideas on our Facebook page. Click here to read these cool ideas.

 

Featured Armeno Roast of the Week: Ethiopian Mocha Decaf & Decaf Mocha Java Blend

If you have been waiting patiently for Mocha Java Decaf from Armeno Coffee Roasters, your patience is rewarded and freshly roasted coffee beans await. With the long 4^th of July holiday weekend ahead, why not stop by today and pick up a bag?

Armeno Decaf Mocha Java Blend is a perfectly balanced combination of Ethiopian Mocha Decaf and Sumatra Decaf. As with all of our decaffeinated coffees, the beans are gently decaffeinated without chemicals to maintain their unique flavor and body.

Freshly Roasted coffee beans from Armeno Coffee Roasters

Ethiopian Mocha is the “Mocha” in the Mocha Java blend. The Mocha Java Blend has always been a favorite of Armeno coffee fans, and that includes our decaf drinkers as well. We blend the fruity Decaf Ethiopian Mocha with the sweeter Decaf Sumatra in a 40:60 ratio for a perfectly balanced Mocha Java Decaf with a naturally chocolaty flavor and a smooth creamy finish.

Armeno Coffee Roasters will be open 9am – 5pm Thursday, July 1 and Friday, July 2. We will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday, July 6. Orders placed Thursday morning can still be roasted and shipped out in time for Friday delivery to most locations in New England. Guaranteed next day shipping is also available. Better yet, stop by and pick up a pound in person.

And don’t forget, the Armeno Wine Cellar in the back of the mill has a wonderful selection of wines for your 4^th of July parties and barbecues.

All of us at Armeno Coffee Roasters wish you a happy and safe 4^th of July!

Enjoy!

 

Reflections on Memorial Day

Good coffee has a reputation for enhancing our times of quiet reflection and remembrance. How many times have you enjoyed your Sunday morning newspaper with a fresh brewed cup of coffee? When you pull out those special photo albums or videos at family events, are you sharing coffee along with memories? For so many of us, the answer is ‘yes’.

Maybe it’s the aroma. Maybe it’s the flavor of fresh roasted coffee brewed to perfection in your favorite French press, drip coffee maker, or espresso machine – the one that you’ve had since your wedding so many years ago, or received on that special birthday or anniversary. It could be that you connect the tactile sensation of holding your special coffee mug with times and memories you value. Heck, maybe it’s just the caffeine, although I don’t really believe that.

We’re headed into the Memorial Day weekend, and people observe the holiday in many different ways. Whether you observe the holiday in remembrance of friends or family members who gave their lives in service to this country, or you observe the holiday with celebrations of current friends and family, Armeno wishes you a wonderful holiday weekend. If Armeno Coffee is a part of your rituals of remembrance, know that the personal attention and care we roast into every batch is dedicated to you.

In observance of the holiday, Armeno will have special hours. Armeno Coffee Roasters will be open until 5:00pm on Friday, May 28, and will close for the holiday weekend. We will reopen Tuesday, June 1 for our regular hours. If your coffee supply is low, be sure to stock up before the weekend is here. Armeno Coffee is also available at Lowe’s Market, Berberian Farms, and Davidian Brothers in Northborough, MA.

Also, don’t forget the Armeno Wine Cellar. Check the article from May 12, 2010 for a description of the featured wines from the Bordeaux region of France.

Enjoy!

 

Armeno Featured Roast of the Week: La Minita

We have some really exciting news for fans of Armeno Coffee Roasters: La Minita is back! For those of you who know about La Minita, you also know that Armeno hasn’t been able to get any for over a year. And we almost missed out this year too, because the truck driver got lost trying to find us (or so he says…).

Photo by Sue Teplansky

La Minita comes exclusively from Hacienda La Minita in Costa Rica. Their flagship product is made of coffee beans taken only from the top quality selection of each stage in the coffee process. The process is so selective that of 100 pounds of green equivalent cherries that enter the milling process, only about 23 pounds make it to become La Minita. The coffee is finished with a unique hand cleaning process that transforms this virtually perfect product into the very special coffee that Armeno Coffee Roasters is proud to roast to perfection and offer to you.

The plantation consists of a total of 1,200 acres of land, situated on a east-west axis, and bordered by the Tarrazu river to the south and the Alumbre river to the north.  These two rivers converge at the western base of the mountain spur upon which the farm is situated.  The soil is a pale clay, tan to light red. The central block lies between 3,750ft and 5,000ft.  In spite of the considerable altitude differences, the mean temperature variance is minimized by the cooling effect of the large river flow that borders the farm.  Importantly, the farm faces the west, which allows for gradual warming in the morning and slow cooling in the evening.

La Minita has long been considered by many experts to be one of the world’s most exquisite coffees. La Minita has brilliant acidity, a medium body, and sweet flavors of orange citrus, caramelized sugar, and fine chocolate. It is impeccably balanced with a long satisfying finish. We hope you’ll share our excitement and enjoy the Armeno Coffee Roasters La Minita while it lasts.

Enjoy!

 

Armeno Wine Tasting Event: May 15, 2010 1-4pm

With summer fast upon us and Memorial Day later this month, we all look forward to trips to Cape Cod, lazy summer outings, and yes, lots of yard work.  So before we get into this wonderful time of the year, we’re squeezing in one more Wine Tasting Event from the Armeno Wine Cellar. Join us this Saturday, May 15 1-4pm, at Armeno Coffee Roasters for a fantastic event featuring a stellar list of Bordeaux wines. And all wines are 15% off on the day of the wine tasting event. Don’t forget to print out this list as your guide during the wine tasting. We hope to see you there!

2009 Chateau Puy Boyrein Blanc

The vineyard of Chateau Puy Boyrein was once part of the large estate of Chateau Boyrein, which was broken up in 1877. The Medeville family has been restructuring the property for three generations. The 8 hectares of vineyards (red and white) of Chateau Puy Boyrein are situated in the commune of Roaillan between the Garonne river and the vast forest which runs along the Atlantic Coast.

The wine is a blend of Sauvignon 50%, Semillon 30% and Muscadelle 20%.  The grapes are hand selected and manually harvested. Maceration for 6-12 hours before pressing. Fermentation is temperature controlled with aging on fine lees. Wines are bottled at the chateau 6 months after harvest. The wine is a brilliant and clear, pale straw color. Citrus notes on the nose with hints of lemon and grapefruit, round and supple on the palate. A good persistent bouquet.

2009 Chateau Des Leotins, Entre Deux Mers

The district of this appellation is situated in the east of Bordeaux between two rivers the Garonne and the Dordogne, which gives this appellation its name: Between Two Rivers – Entre Deux Mers.

This 100% sauvignon blanc offers strong varietal characteristics and color. Very limited production for this quality wine. The Entre-Deux-Mers Chateau des Leotins is a very pleasant wine, fresh, in a pale yellow color with green reflections; subtle and elegant thanks to its fruity bouquet, it is pleasant on the palate.

2008 Chateau Gravelier Rouge

Merlot 70%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%. The harvest is vinified in stainless steel and fiberglass vats. The fermentation lasts 20 days at a temperature of around 28 degrees C. The wine is then separated from any solids. After a series of racking throughout the year, the remaining particles are removed. The wine then undergoes a light fining and just before bottling, is filtered to avoid any impurities when in bottle. The wine is usually bottled 2 years after the harvest and continues to improve in quality for 6-7 years .

The vinification method along with good yields produces a wine with a round, fruity structure with notes of toast and red fruit.

2008 Chateau Des Leotins, Bordeaux Rouge

The Lumeau Family has been the owner of this estate for four generations. It is situated in Sauveterre de Guyenne in Gironde, 35 km from Saint Emilion and 45 km from Bordeaux, on the tourist road of the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards, spreading between two rivers, the Garonne and Dordogne. The red wines of Chateau des Leotins are the result of combining traditional methods with modern technologies. After a selective harvest, only the best ripe berries are used to make this rich wine. Thermoregulated stainless steel tanks maintain a constant temperature during the fermentation.

Merlot 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Cabernet Franc 15%. The wine offers a blend of forest fruits, cherry, blackcurrant, vanilla and sometimes violet that you can find in their bouquet after aging. They tend to open up during the meal. Deep red in color, they age very well.

2005 Chateau Galau, Cotes de Bourg

The history of this estate is ancient because Count Nodoz sold it in 1791 to the MJJ Bornes’ family, well-known ship owners in Bordeaux, who reconstituted it and built its reputation. This property already existed long before the French revolution and was called “Cru de Nodoz.” during the wine crisis of 1930, it was purchased by the Madgelaine Family from the merchants Posso and Rosenfeld. With its fantastic location on gravel slopes, the property spreads out on 40 hectares in a single piece.

Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Cabernet Franc 5%.  Grapes are harvested mechanically and the wines have a long maceration and temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Clarified with egg whites and aged for 18 months in 100% oak barrels. Chateau Galau is a robust, tannic wine with a slightly smokey fruit nose. Good for drinking now but will also age well.

2006 Chateau Larrivaux, Haut Medoc

Chateau Larrivaux Vicomtesse de Carheil is one of the few estates in Medoc to have belonged to the same family for three centuries. Uniquely it has been passed down through the female line of the family. Chateau Larrivaux is in total a 100 hectare estate that includes woodlands, meadows and disused quarries. The vineyard is planted on gravelly hillsides, well oriented and composed of very favorable soils since they are of the same consistency and quality as those of the great growths in neighboring Pauillac and Saint-Estephe.

Merlot 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Cabernet Franc 6%, Petiti Verdot 12%. Grapes are harvested by machine and destemmed. Wines are fermented for 21 days on the skins in cement and stainless steel tanks. Aging 16 – 18 months in oak casks and stainless steel tanks. The wine of Larrivaux has a brilliant color, powerful bouquet, and a soft lively flavor. These great wines can be enjoyed young. They are charming and fruity. This is an ideal wine for the modern consumer who likes fresh tannins yet it can also age extremely well.

2006 Chateau Vieux Chaigneau, Lalande de Pomerol

The Berlureau family has been making wine since 1885 in the area of Pomerol and Saint Emilion and launched Chateau Vieux Chaigneau in 1977.

Merlot 75%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%. Fermentation on the skins for 20 to 25 days in thermoregulated stainless tanks. Aging for 2 years with 12 months barrels. Nice garnet color. Quite aromatic with small red fruits on the nose and a hint of wood. Supple and fruity on the palate.

Enjoy!

 

Mother’s Day Ideas From Armeno Coffee Roasters

If you are looking for something truly unique this Mother’s Day (yes, it’s this Sunday!), Armeno Coffee Roasters has some fresh ideas that will make mom’s special day memorable.

What could be better than fresh roasted Armeno coffee served with breakfast in bed? Our ever popular Papua New Guinea is a great choice. For a more complex cup, our Armeno House Blend combines beans from around the world for a perfectly balanced coffee. If she’s a fan of the dark roast, our Sumatra Mandheling French Roast is one of our favorites. Or, if you are looking for something a bit more exotic, try the Maui Red Cataui, which was greeted with rave reviews earlier this year from the popular coffee blog, Daily Shot of Coffee. And if mom is already a fan of Armeno, pick up one of our snazzy Armeno Diner Mugs.

If mom is not really a morning person, maybe she would prefer a distinctive wine from the Armeno Wine Cellar. Armeno’s carries a wonderful selection of reds, whites, champagne, prosecco, port and a few other surprises, personally selected by John Parks and Chuck Coffman from select vineyards around the world. Armeno Wine Cellars currently features a couple of wines from Women of the Vine (www.womenofthevine.com). This first-of-its-kind winery features hand-crafted, limited production wines. Women of the Vine Cellars unites award winning women winemakers from around the world under one brand. We also sell a wonderful book that tells the story of these talented women and their wines, another perfect Mothers Day gift.

For something really special, Armenos offers a selection of gift baskets, featuring Armeno coffees, wines, or tea from the Republic of Tea and Upton Tea. Take a moment to stop by our historic grist mill. We’re open Monday through Saturday, and there is still plenty of time to get your Mother that perfect gift.

Enjoy!

 

Armeno Featured Roast of the Week: Peru FTO

For most of us, FTO means we’re packing up for vacation (Flex Time Off). Not so in the coffee world. What we have with this Armeno Featured Roast of the Week is an FTO, or certified Fair Trade Organic, coffee from Peru.

Photo by Sue Teplansky

Armeno’s Peru is from the Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Valle Rio Apurimac, or CACVRA. This farming coop is located in the Ayacucho region along the river valley Apurimac, and consists of approximately 1500 members. The members produce both Fair Trade Organic coffee and cocoa as viable alternatives to the cultivation of coca. The coop has been certified to organic standards since 2000 and to Fair Trade standards since 2003. The coffee is grown on small farms of less than 5 hectares, and under a vast canopy alongside avocados, oranges and other fruit trees.

Most farms have their own washing station and drying patios, and the cooperative employs several technicians who are constantly visiting and working with the farmers to ensure quality and consistency.

Armeno coffee roaster, John Parks, roasts the Peru FTO to a full city roast, and describes the coffee as sweet and smooth with a milk chocolate finish. Regardless of your FTO status, you should take some time off to try the Armeno Coffee Roasters Peru!

Enjoy!

 

Armeno Wine Tasting Event: April 24, 2010

Has it really been a month since the last Armeno Wine Tasting Event? Is it already nearing the end of April? The hyacinth is fading so soon? Ah, but that means the lilac, the strawberries and grill season are just around the corner. If you are looking for the perfect wine to enhance the aromas and flavors of May (and beyond, of course), join us this Saturday, April 24, any time from 12:30 – 3:30pm for the next Armeno Wine Tasting event. (If you have been to our previous wine tastings, please note the time change.) And as always, all Armeno wines are 15% off on the day of the wine tasting event. Read on for descriptions of our featured wines.

Photo by Sue Teplansky

Borgo Magredo Prosecco

100% Prosecco

Creamy and balanced with a delicate combination of acidity and fruit. Pleasant and lively on the palate with hints of green apples and wisteria flowers. Light straw-yellow color with refreshing effervesce.

Yellow and Blue Sauvignon Blanc

Flavors of mandarin orange, key lime and tangerine. Medium weight, bright acidity with lingering flavors of lime, peach and minerals. Our Sauvignon Blanc is created from 100% organic Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Chile’s Central Valley.

J Lohr Riesling

J. Lohr Estates Bay Mist White Riesling is a pale, youthful brassy yellow color with enticing fruit aromas of apple, apricot, peach, Bosc pear, rose petal and linalool.  The palate echoes the fruit aromas with apricot, apple and rose petal spice combined with refreshing acidity and slight palate spritz balanced by the 2.15% residual sugar. The 2009 White Riesling is an enticingly fruity, refreshing wine capable of complementing the vibrant flavors of Pacific Rim cuisine such as Thai chicken or beef satay, grilled soy-marinated salmon or served as an aperitif.

Jim Jim White

Jim Jim takes his vineyard management duties very seriously particularly if it looks as if his grape crop is going to be plundered by pests of the feathered kind. The starlings swoop in on the white varieties first so Jim Jim is kept busy protecting his Viognier and Verdelho early in the season.

This wine is a blend of two fascinating varieties Viognier (pronounced Vee-on-yea) and Verdelho (pronounced Ver-dell-oh). The Viognier is a French grape and the Verdelho is Portuguese, both are full of character. The Viognier has an orange blossom and stone fruit character. The Verdelho imparts tropical fruit and pear flavour to the wine.

Sella  & Mosca Cannonau

In the most outstanding vintage years, Sella & Mosca produces a Riserva version of its Cannonau, made from grapes picked in selected portions of its Cannonau vineyards. Aged three years in oak prior to release, this aristocratic red will sustain a decade or more of aging.  Sardinia’s premier wine estate, Sella & Mosca, is known on the Italian mainland and elsewhere in Europe for its remarkably fine and distinctive wines. Sella & Mosca ranks among Europe’s most progressive wine estates and comprises the second largest contiguous vineyard in Italy.  This 100% Cannonau is a rich red in color and a nose with intense scents of violet.  The palate is well rounded with rich ripe plumy flavors.

McManis Pinot Noir

Medium Garnet in color and aromas of Cherry, Strawberry and Raspberry are accompanied by a bouquet of Vanilla and Cocoa. Round and soft in the mouth, with bright red berry flavors, the fruit and oak are well balanced in the finish.

Yellow and Blue Malbec

Profound purple color flecked with hints of persimmon.  The bouquet swirls with heady aromas of black cherries, chocolate and garrigue. A medium- to full-bodied wine with fine tannins and a lingering, complex finish.

Elyse Petit Sirah

Deep blueish red in color with a nose of orange peel, black fruits, graphite, pepper and spice that lead to ripe opulent flavors of strawberries, licorice, kirsch jam, sweet mocha and dark plums.  This brawny wine is expressive and full on the palate with firm tannins and a wonderfully long finish.

J Lohr Carols Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Please join J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in our effort to provide 500 mammograms to women in need, through our partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®. Research indicates that early detection and treatment are essential to combating breast cancer, and annual mammograms are an essential first step toward confronting this disease. J. Lohr will donate $2 for every bottle of 2005 J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon purchased to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Join us in reaching our goal of funding 500 mammograms for women who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Dark, youthful purple-red in color, the 2005 J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has elegant aromas of red and black currants and cherries, with a complex bouquet of vanilla, allspice and toasty oak. Carol’s Vineyard delivers a dense, yet incredibly supple structure reminiscent of Bordeaux’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. Meant for a minimum of five years of cellaring before enjoying with a pan-seared filet mignon with a Cabernet-peppercorn reduction sauce.

Hope to see you there!

 

Armeno Featured Roast of the Week: Organic Flores Bajawa Ngura

This week, we’re traveling to a truly colorful place in Indonesia to discover the Armeno Coffee Roasters Featured Roast of the Week: the island of Flores in Indonesia. Flores is the source of the Certified Organic coffee, Organic Flores Bajawa Ngura.

Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia by Rosino

The images from this island are so colorful, it’s no wonder that the Portuguese originally named this island, “Coba da Flores” when they ‘discovered’ it in the 15th century. At the time, the island was surrounded by beautiful, colorful coral reefs which, unfortunately, have since been destroyed. Also colorful is the three colored lake of Kelimutu, shown here. The lake is in the crater of this active volcano and changes colors depending on the oxidation state of the lake from bright red through green and blue.

This island has a weird and wonderful history of producing some of the most rare and bizarre creatures, including an extinct dwarf form of elephant that thrived approximately 18,000 years ago, and a small homonid species, nicknamed the hobbit, that stood about a meter tall, and existed at the same time. But not everything on Flores is small. The island also produced a giant tree rat, and continues to serve as home to the Komodo Dragon, the largest of all currently living lizards.

What does all of this have to do with coffee? I guess you could say that Organic Flores Bajawa Ngura is a small bean with a big flavor. The volcanic soils of Flores and high elevations contribute to the low acidity, fruity finish and smooth body of this coffee. Among Indonesian coffees, it is often considered an alternative to the Papua New Guinea or Celebes. The photos show the coffee in its green, or processed state, and then artfully roasted by Armeno coffee roaster, John Parks.

Photo by Sue Teplansky

One of the things I found immediately noteworthy and different was the aroma, which I found to be slightly nutty and bold. Different reviewers have used terms like “chocolate”, “caramel” and “vanilla”  to describe the mix of flavors. John says that the coffee is great in a drip coffee maker, but also makes a great espresso. The flavor is unique, like the island, and definitely worth the adventure. In fact, I would caution that Armeno’s Organic Flores Bajawa Ngura may be hobbit forming…. (Sorry, I had to do it.)

Enjoy!