BCBC Coffee Lab & Roasters Sumatra Mandheling - Indonesia - 9/10 Must Buy

BCBC Coffee lab and roasters is based out of Chicago, IL. They specialize in organic fair trade roasts from around the world. Their aim is to collaborate with individually owned small coffee shops to promote neighborly love, which is exactly what lands them a spot in Neighborhood Coffee Reviews.

Aroma:

Tobacco

Floral

Cocoa

Tasting Notes:

Tropical Fruit

Tobacco

Rose

The bag that I have the pleasure of reviewing is the Sumatra Mandheling. I picked it up through the Spinn market place and it was instantly uploaded to my system so I could brew it with BCBC’s intended ratios. It is a full body roast, something you would expect from a medium-dark roast that boasts notes of tobacco. I will say that when brewing darker roasts at home you have to be a little careful, if the water is too hot and not exposed to enough air the true flavor notes can get lost in exchange for a little bit of a burnt coffee taste. For this reason, I found that the Indonesia roast tasted the best through a traditional drip system.

By brewing the beans in this way you circulate the water through it faster than your traditional immersion styles which can steep it a little too far beyond its target flavors. Being able to bloom the beans and get the constant air exposure you are able to let the floral notes shine through the beans. I would say that the pre loaded ratio in the Spinn system is a little off the mark for this one. I get the tropical notes at the beginning and the delicious tobacco notes, but find that the rose finish is a little bit missed. Finally, when brewed through something like a french press I find that the fruit and floral notes are both overpowered.

I love the definition of the tobacco notes, you taste that in spades. It is a beautiful note that comes out in many roast styles from the Asian side of the world. As one of the highly sought after trade goods world wide, it is no wonder that it is a coveted flavor note in many highly regarded coffee roasts. I just wish that the other flavor notes were a little more present.

Overall, I would say this is a must add to your morning routine. If you have the time to brew it through a drip system every morning you will not be disappointed. You will be rewarded with a robust, full body cup of coffee that will enlighten your senses. I was so impressed with the initial aroma of the beans that I was so incredibly excited to try it, I am pleasantly satisfied that taste backed it up. Just make sure to take special care to not over steep the beans and you will be granted with a complex, full body, great cup of coffee.

Pick up a bag here at BCBC Coffee Labs and Roasters - Indonesia