This is always a very exciting time of year for us here at the Sheep- and this season is the best yet. We've got several new coffees- some great retail and gift packages for the gift-giving season, and more.
Brazil Eulino Micro-Lot: Rich and buttery, with almond and bittersweet chocolate notes. Makes a deep, drinkable espresso- clean and toasty!
Available for a limited time for $11.99 for a 14 oz. bag!
NEW- Guatemala SHB Pacamara
We're calling this Guatemala Coshecha Organic. (It's Also above-fair-trade.)
The SHB stands for "Strictly Hard Bean" and Pacamara, is a varietal known for its long flat bean shape. Very sweet- very clean:
Here are the cupping notes from Cafe Imports.
Anise, chocolate, juicy, fruity, complex fruit acidity, sweet, creamy, caramel finish.
Available for $12.99 / 14 oz bag.
Oh by the way- here is an amazing link to Jamin's Photos from his and Tim's recent trip to Brazil.
Last year's Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza coffee we had was some of the best Brazil I've ever tasted, we're very much looking forward to the new crop!
Also- Black Sheep is proud to announce that this fall and winter we will be carrying the
AEROPRESS
Have you tried this thing?
So I'm thinking to myself, um..... this looks like a micro version of the Clover, Hello!!??
Turns out, it is. All you have to do is ignore the manufacturer's archaic instructions and reccommendations on brewing, and you have yourself an outstanding tool. So you load in coffee- pour your hot water over, stir, wait, and (here's the best part) To brew- you depress a plunger with however much force you want, it's fairly easy to generate the needed amount, just a few pounds. BUT- you can choose your own dosage, the filters don't taste like bleached paper- and you have a clean, individually made cup of coffee in -GET THIS- 60 seconds. Clean-up time is an additional *whopping* 10 seconds.
But let's talk about the coffee- isn't it about the coffee?
I recently took this thing on a fishing trip to the BWCAW. I decided to abandon my french press and cone pour-over just about immediately. We had the best coffee, quickly, easily, and cleanly, that I've ever had on a canoe trip. Now, don't get me wrong, we do have one of the best coffee brewers in the world here in South Saint Paul, and we're also roasting fresh, high quality coffee- but here- is a chance to get yourself that same quality (nearest to it that I have seen) coffee wherever and whenever you want it!
Am I gushing? So be it.
Ok so here's the diagram. $29.99 for the whole thing. You don't really need the funnel or scoop- but when you're in the kitchen they do a very nice job of keeping grinds off your counter. The stirrer is really just a spoon- but keeps you from over agitating by being just slightly smaller than the tube. There are dosing numbers on both parts of the brew chamber- helpful, sorta, but you're going to find out where you like your own coffee brewed very quickly.Here's what I recommend:
One scoop- that scoop is a very generous two tablespoons- to three scoops total depending on how you like your coffee.
One scoop: Clover-like
Two Scoops: Low Acid, Chocolatey.
Three Scoops: Like Cold-Press or Toddy, just sweet and dense, no acid.
Water should be just off boil, not 175 degrees like they say- more like 200.
Stir.
Stir just until grinds begin to sink- neutral buoyancy is what we're after.
Wait 15-55 seconds- no really... it's delicious anywhere in that range.
Press. You can easily stretch the press portion anywhere from 5 seconds (pressing hard) to 20 seconds (almost no force.)
Stay tuned for the Music Blog- link is just below this one.
Stay tuned for New coffees and more Gift ideas and events!
Pete the Sheep.
