Work has been going a tad bit slow.  It’s our slow time, which is good as it allows me to focus more on classes.  However, we do have two fantastic coffees which I am enjoying…

Guatemala Casi Cielo

I like to call this a “regal” coffee.  It is utterly delicious and elegant.  Casi Cielo is served in fine restaurants – hence the fancy stamp!  Well, it should with a name that means “almost heaven”.  As the bag says:

Starbucks worked closely with the chefs at Seattle’s legendary Canlis to create this fine dining coffee. Together, they discovered the remarkable depth and versatility of Guatemala Casi Cielo™. It is perfect for a variety of dishes and desserts – particularly those with savory herbs or cheeses, rich chocolate or berries. A sip begins with an elegant floral aroma and surprising lemony flourish, and it finishes with a deeply satisfying dark cocoa flavor.

Well, I like it a lot in a French Press – actually that is the only way I have had it.  We’re beginning to brew it at work tomorrow.  It is not a heavy coffee, but it is very bright at first – but this diminishes as you drink.  It has lemony accents with a hint of cocoa and berries.  This coffee is excellent with anything chocolate!  According to the reference guide at work, this wonderful coffee was developed as a desert coffee.  I can see that.  Apparently the pairings include cheese – so I guess you could have a Casi Cielo and Cheese tasting.  Other things to try it with are nuts, caramel, berries, lemon (I think of Trader Joes Lemon Cake), and herb.  So, it would go good with a delicious roast…  Of course, be forewarned the aroma suggests a full bodied and heavy coffee, but it is by far much milder than you’d expect.  Great for breakfasts and after dinner/desert coffee.  Good, good, good.  It should be around for the better part of the next month!

Larry and I have been “sampling” this at work a lot the past few weeks.  It also is excellent with our Mallorca Sweet Bread…

Best of all, purchasing Guatemala Casi Cielo helps support a clinic in Guatemala!

My next coffee, dedicated to the Guf’s since they live near the farm, is the:

Bella Vista FW Tres Rios Costa Rica

Say that 10 times fast!  Being a Latin American coffee, it is again a medium.  This coffee is definitely a single origin as it comes from just one farm in Costa Rica.  The funny thing is that this coffee has a connection to Germany…  The farm in which it was grown is just outside San Jose and is owned by a gentleman named Fritz Willig. This coffee is definitely a bright coffee, but it is very refreshing.  Us guys sampled it and thought “oh, fruity, we won’t like it” but were pleasantly surprised.  It has a floral aroma with hints of cocoa (maybe that’s the theme for the promo?) Medium bodied, you will taste the citrus at first, but the flavors mellow quickly.  Pretty soon, you’ll experience the smoky cocoa overtones of this coffee.  Sweet, bright, and a perfect mix of flavors followed with complex finish, this coffee will not disappoint.  Supplies are limited so hurry on over to pick yours up today!

That’s all for now,