Spotlight on Burundi

Our most recent exploration of global coffee took us to one of the iconic islands of Indonesia, and today we’re traveling east from there, across the Indian Ocean towards the central African nation of Burundi.

Burundi is a producer of one of the finest coffees from Africa, and coffee is also an incredibly valuable commodity that is essential to their economy. In fact, millions of farmers depend on coffee for their livelihood.

Why is coffee the pride of this small nation, and why is it so highly regarded in the world? Without missing another moment, let’s examine the answers to these questions and gain some deeper insights into the coffee culture of Burundi.

Geography

As we said, Burundi is located in central Africa, surrounded by Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” as it is a very mountainous region.

Farmers grow strictly Arabica coffee on the steep, misty mountainsides, with respect for the ecology of the surrounding area, and these high altitudes allow the coffee to flourish. In terms of climate, Burundi is characteristically tropical, with irregular periods of rainfall.

History

The first Arabica coffee tree was introduced to Burundi by Belgium in the early 1930s, and has been growing in the country ever since then. Burundi has invested heavily in a construction program of coffee washing stations and coffee tree planting in strategic locations. Today, coffee is the principal export of Burundi, with an emphasis on quality and sustainability.

Flavor Profile

Cultivated from the Bourbon varietal, the coffees of Burundi are rich and full-bodied, with a bright, crisp, and fruity flavor, and sweet and sour tones. It’s balanced in acidity and has a clean and pleasantly dry finish without an overwhelming taste overall.

At CoffeeAM, we’re delighted to bring the true taste of this unique coffee right to your home. Our Burundi coffee is light medium roasted with the bold and smooth flavor combination of lemon, black tea, hints of spiced clove, and it has a sweet nutty finish with low acidity.

You can brew this gourmet coffee at any strength, with or without cream and sugar, and it will still maintain its integrity. Though these flavors are pronounced, it lacks the bitterness of similar roasts. As a bonus, when brewed it has a very pleasing and satisfying aroma.

Order your one-pound or five-pound bag of Burundi AA Kirimiro Coffee today, and it will be fresh roasted the day it ships to ensure the best quality. Is there a particular coffee producing nation that you would like to learn more about? Mention it in the comments, and we’ll be sure to feature it in a future post.

Stay tuned right here to continue our tour of the wide world of coffee, and visit us at CoffeeAM for a flavorful array of gourmet coffees and teas from here at home and across the globe.

Featured Recipe: Iced Mocha Mudslide

A hot cup of coffee is satisfying all year round, but we’re now experiencing a hotter than average summer. In the sizzling sun, an icy cold cup of lemonade or iced tea seems like a much more refreshing and rejuvenating drink option.

What’s a coffee lover to do? Say goodbye to those boring beverages, and hello to this delicious coffee infused drink! The best part is you can skip the trip to the coffee shop, and make it on your own at home in just a few minutes.

With just a sip or two, your friends and family will be asking for your secret recipe, and if you’re hosting a party, guests will be amazed with the professional look and flavor.

Are you ready to channel your inner barista? Let’s jump right in to today’s featured recipe!

                                                            Iced Mocha Mudslide 

        Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Ghiradelli Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa Flavored Sauce

• ½ oz. Irish Cream syrup

• ¼ oz. Dark Chocolate syrup

• 2 oz. brewed espresso coffee

• 8 oz. cold milk

• 1 cup of ice

      Method:

     Step 1: In a clear, 16 oz. glass, pour the Ghiradelli sauce down the sides.

     Step 2: Add in the Irish Cream and Dark Chocolate syrups, and brewed espresso

     Step 3: Add milk and one cup of ice, and stir to combine

    Step 4: Garnish with whipped cream, and drizzle with the Ghiradelli sauce

We hope this cool and classy recipe has got your mouth watering for more! You can satisfy your sweet tooth and your love for coffee in one fell swoop, and feel refreshed throughout the summer. We encourage you to give this recipe a shot, and share your results on social media. If you have any thoughts or ideas, please feel free to post them in the comments section below.

For more creative recipes and a wide variety of gourmet coffees and teas from all around the world, visit us today at CoffeeAM!

Patriotic Gifts for Independence Day!

It’s time to break out the fireworks, fire up the grills, and line up for the parade! What’s the occasion? In the United States, we’re getting revved up for Fourth of July celebrations!

On this day, we’ll commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the official declaration of our nation’s establishment, two hundred forty years ago.

It’s an important national holiday, so it’s the perfect time to gather with friends and family, and get into the national spirit.

If you’re heading to an Independence Day party or special event this weekend, and you’re looking for some appropriate and unexpected gifts for your host(s), then the search is over.

Surprise them with something they can actually use and appreciate each and every day, not just once a year. At CoffeeAM, we carry gourmet gift sets with a patriotic theme ideal for the occasion.

In addition, for every one-pound of coffee that you purchase from our Patriotic Coffees and Teas page we will donate one dollar to Hope for the Warriors, an organization dedicated to supporting post 9/11 servicemen and women, their families, and families of the fallen. Here are just a few of the gifts featured for you to try today.

Grown in the USA Coffee Gift Set

Some of the best coffee is produced here in the states, and you can support American coffee growers and providers with the purchase of this gift set. This delicious set includes three one-pound bags of popular coffees—Maui Red Catuai, Maui Yellow Caturra, and Hawaiian Maui Mokka.

Maui Red Catuai is a medium-roasted, smooth gourmet coffee with a complex combination of sweet, spicy, and winey flavors all flawlessly blended together. It is produced with some of the best Arabica beans in Hawaii, so you can be sure that it has the fresh and authentic taste that you would expect.

The Maui Yellow Caturra is also a smooth, medium-roasted coffee, but it has a full body with spicy undertones. It is one of the few coffees grown in Hawaii, the only US state where coffee is actually grown.

Finally, Maui Mokka, is also one of the most loved coffees across the world, not just in America. It’s characteristically spicy and strong in flavor, has a dark, chocolaty body, and a light acidity. Even the aroma is intriguing with a balance of sweetness and spice.

 

Patriotic Decaf Gourmet Gift Set

In this delectable set, you’ll receive the decaf versions of three of the most well-known and celebrated coffees in one-pound bags.

First, we have Kenya AA, a full-flavored, full-bodied gourmet coffee with a smooth wine-like taste, a light floral aroma, and delicate acidity. With each cup, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation of the sophisticated flavor combination.

Next, there’s Mexico ‘Spirit of the Aztec, a customer favorite—a medium-bodied, finely acidic, light delight, that pairs well with other beverages and even complete meals. It has a refreshing nuttiness, which makes it a satisfying choice for any occasion.

The third gourmet goody you’ll have the pleasure of having is ‘Swiss Water’ Peru. The unique process that’s used to decaffeinate the beans results in a flavorful, medium-roasted, full-bodied, balanced coffee, with absolutely no bitter aftertaste. As a bonus, you may be happy to know that this coffee is also organic, grown without the use of harmful chemicals.

 

Keep in mind that you can purchase any of these coffees individually or as part of a gift set. Visit us today at CoffeeAM, and explore our truly patriotic selection of gourmet coffees perfect for the upcoming Independence Day holiday, or any time of the year!

Introduction to the Art of Coffee Cupping

If you’ve been following our blog, you’ve just learned some of the terms used by coffee professionals to accurately describe gourmet coffee. Today, we’re going to talk about the work of certain coffee professionals—cuppers. If you’re scratching you’re head in puzzlement now, we wouldn’t be surprised.

Coffee cupping is the technique of evaluating and examining the flavors and aromas of coffee, and cuppers are those who practice this technique. It helps the cupper identify the characteristics of a coffee and even create blends.

As a regular coffee drinker, you may be able to tell the difference between a light roast and a dark roast, and tell if a coffee is stale or poorly made, but what about those subtleties in flavor that are not so simple to identify and articulate?

Even the professionals can have a tough time communicating what they’re tasting, so through a highly regulated process, cupping creates a standard for coffees to be accurately and fairly judged. This can be helpful, as coffees can taste differently from one year to the next based on the coffee crop and growing conditions.

Wish that you could try a round of coffee cupping just like the professionals do? You don’t need all the same tools and intricate set up, and you could actually try it on your own right at home!

We’ll give you a peak into how professional cuppers practice cupping, and how you can modify this method to try for yourself.

How the Pros Cup

Tools Used:

• 5-6 cups (of 5-6 oz. each) (each should have lids)

• Cupping spoons which can hold 4-5 ml of coffee sample

• Coffee Grinder

• Kettle (made of tempered glass or ceramic, holds 7-9 fl oz. with a top diameter of 3-3.5 in.)

• Scale or a measuring scoop (to measure precise volumes of coffee)

• 4 clean, empty coffee mugs

• Variety of fresh, whole bean coffee

Procedure:

 Step 1: Make sure all equipment is clean and free of oils and residue.

 Step 2: Measure the beans. Each cup should have exactly 12.5 ounces of beans; pros often use digital scales to ensure accuracy, and some like to put an identifying sticker on the bottom of each cup to avoid confusion.

Step 3: Using fresh, filtered water, start your kettle so that the boiling is complete close to when the cupping table is set.

Step 4: Grind each cup individually, and clean out the grinder between each sample. Take note of the color of the grinds and inhale the aromas.

Step 5: Pour water on the grounds to the top of the cup and set the timer for four minutes. After that, break the crust of the coffee with your spoon, while smelling the aromas that are released.

Step 6: Scoop the grinds off the surface.

Step 7: Once the coffee has reached a comfortable temperature, dip your spoon in and slurp a small helping of coffee. Don’t swallow it; allow the coffee to hit the back of your mouth, and spit it out. This heightens your sense of the flavors.

 

How You Can Cup at Home

As we’ve said, you don’t need the experience or the tools to practice cupping on your own. Simply follow this quick guide:

Step 1: Prepare a black cup of coffee.

Step 2: Hold the coffee just below your lips, and slurp it into your mouth so that your whole tongue and the back of your throat feel the coffee. This way, you’ll be able to notice the understated flavors without becoming overwhelmed.

Step 3: Let the coffee roll around in your mouth and get a feel of the consistency and body. You can spit it out to get an idea of the aftertastes or swallow it like you normally would.

 

We hope that you now have a more thorough understanding of the practice of coffee cupping. Give it a try, and you may discover characteristics of your coffee that you may not have ever noticed before. If you’d like some different kinds of gourmet coffee to get started, please visit us today at CoffeeAM, and you won’t be disappointed. If you have any questions, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.