Law On Coffee

Pure Guatemala – Larry’s Beans October 16, 2008

This was my third bag of Larry’s Beans in a row, and by far my favorite. The Pure Guatemala is a lighter roast than the other Larry’s Beans I’ve tried, and I think it did the trick. I didn’t taste that overly smoky coffee flavor I didn’t like in the Bean Martin. This stuff just tasted like good coffee.

I might also be a snob for single origin beans. I like the idea that it’s all the same quality bean, same source, same taste. Maybe I can’t taste the difference and I’m generalizing it, but all my favorite coffees in the past have been single origin. I’m going to try another blend next time with a lighter roast, see what I think.

Regardless, this is some great coffee. Nice and crisp, perfect for a morning cup. There’s different levels of flavor, it really hits hard in the beginning with a strong coffee taste, then a more mellow chocolate flavor lingers. Give it a try if you’re looking for a good way to start your day.

Buy Larry’s Beans – Pure Guatemala

Bean Martin Blend – Larry’s Beans September 22, 2008

I’m not usually a fan of dark roasted beans. There’s always that burnt smell that takes me off guard first thing in the morning. I also find it masks the flavors of the coffee, turning it into that familiar, homogenous French Roast you’ve been avoiding in the office breakroom.

This Bean Martin Blend I’m currently drinking is a dark roast, real dark. The packaging says “Elegantly Dark” which I’d bet is their way of avoiding the French Roast association, where every dark roast tastes the same. Starbucks made the dark roast popular. I hate Starbucks drip coffee.

I can’t say I’m a fan of this coffee, it’s just not my style. I appreciate the smooth drinkability of what usually would have a sharp acidic taste, but it’s not for me. Maybe it’s because I’m no coffee expert, I haven’t been trained to taste the different levels, like I’d assume most people haven’t. I’m a normal guy, and this coffee just tastes dark to me.

Buy Larry’s Beans – Bean Martin Blend

El Salvador Dali – Larry’s Beans September 8, 2008

I’m having my second bag of Larry’s Beans today, their El Salvador Dali blend. This is my first blend in a while, I’ve been sticking with single origins the last few months. It’s roasted a bit darker than I’m used to, somewhere between a Full City and Vienna I’d say (though I really don’t know this stuff). A darker roast usually brings out a deeper body in the coffee, but can hide some of the subtle flavors.

This is definitely the case with the El Salvador Dali blend, serious body with some hints of dark chocolate. I’m not a chocolate fan, that’s my wife’s addiction, but everything is great in moderation. The hints this coffee pushes are very nice, and linger a while in my mouth. I’m still tasting the chocolate and it’s been 5 minutes since my last sip.

This makes a good morning coffee, it’s strong and bold, started my day off right. It’s a monday too, so I need all the help I can get. I still don’t have that kick I got from the Huehuetenango. Maybe that’s a unique characteristic of Guatemalan coffee, or maybe it’s been so long since I had it I remember it better than it actually was. I think I need to take a trip to buy a 1/2 pound tonight.

Buy Larry’s Beans El Salvador Dali

Larry’s Beans – Great Customer Experience August 29, 2008

Here’s a quick little story about a great experience I had with the team at Larry’s Beans. I was doing some research for my Mountain Sumatra review and browsing around the new online store at the Larry’s Beans website. They just updated it I guess and were asking for feedback. Well, I noticed a brew guide on there which was listed as $1.25 for sale, but had a price of $.75 on the front cover. Take a look at the screenshot I grabbed before they fixed it.

So using the feedback link on the main page, I wrote a quick email letting them know about the error, attaching the screenshot for reference. Only a few hours later, I got an email back from the General Manager at Larry’s Beans. He thanked me for catching the error and had already forwarded the error to their web team to fix. Sure enough, it was done by the time I checked the site again.

Also, for helping out, he offered to send me one of the guides, and throw in some goodies for my time. Just an email back would have been more than enough, but this was a really cool gesture. He wanted to send me a bag of beans and asked if I wanted ground or whole bean. Of course I needed whole bean, and also asked which beans he’d recommend as my next purchase. I let him know about my lackluster experience with the Mountain Sumatra and linked him to the post.

Well wouldn’t you know it, yesterday I received a package with not one, but three bags of whole bean coffee, as well as the brew guide, a magnet and a flyer on fair trade. I was blown away, what a cool company. Not sure it was my post that put it over the edge or what, but they really stand behind their product. I’ll be done with the Sumatra in a few days I think, and will be sure to let everyone know what I think of the new beans over the coming weeks.

Mountain Sumatra – Larry’s Beans August 27, 2008

I was excited to try this coffee. I’ve heard a lot about local roaster Larry’s Beans and wanted to give them a good once over. They’re based in Raleigh, maybe 45 minutes from my house, so I’d imagine the beans were as fresh as could be. I also have a thing for small local roasters.

This is from their Single Origin line of coffees, rather than the normal blends that are more popular. I picked up a bag of Mountain Sumatra from Whole Foods. Little pricey at $11.99 for a pound, but not bad for fresh beans.

After a few days of drinking this, one thing is clear. I really don’t like Sumatra.

It’s just too calm, too subtle for me. Especially coming after the wham bang of Huehuetenango, this is a sleeper. Not what I want for my morning cup. I need some fire in the morning, a little pop to get me going. This is like an afternoon *coffee date* coffee, good for sipping and relaxing.

They say on the packaging that there’s subtle caramel and some smokiness. I taste the caramel, it’s really nice and smooth, but the smokiness is less obvious. Most coffee is smoky, this is nothing out of the ordinary. When I hear smokiness, I think of Lapsang Souchung tea, now that’s a smoky drink!

I probably wouldn’t get this again, but I’m interested in trying one of Larry’s blends. It’s another smooth coffee, probably well suited for a cappuccino but not for a morning cup.

Order from Larry’s Beans

Update: My wife is a serious espresso drinker and I convinced her to try these beans for her morning shot. She loves it, great pull, good crema, awesome caramel taste. If you’re into espresso, this will probably make a great bean for you.