Brian Hockenhull, who runs Toast! coffee shop and wine bar in Delph Business Centre, talks about the world of coffee and introduces you to their Coffee and Wine of the Month.
For more information, phone 01457 820 270, visit their website or find them on Facebook.
WHAT’S IN A GIMMICK ?
Well, at best a gimmick is an attention grabber or publicity stunt, and at worst it’s a trick or ploy to deceive you into parting with your cash!
On the coffee scene we have had coffee promoted as the strongest in the world, beans excreted by rodents, coffee from areas where animals face extinction, or from the clear Blue Mountains of Jamaica.
All these coffees command a premium price, of course…but are they worth it?
If, like me, you like to think that value is a combination of quality and price, then the answer is most probably not.
What’s happening is the retailer is pandering to your need for some kind of thrill, and in this case it’s the thrill of being different. The coffee doesn’t necessarily taste any better at all but you’ve shown your friends that you have great taste…
COFFEE OF THE MONTH – COLUMBIAN MEDELLIN EXCELSO
Colombia is the second largest producer of Arabica coffee in the world and about half of their exports go to the United States. Colombia only produces washed Arabica coffee.
There are three primary varieties grown in Colombia and the coffee is referred to by the region in which it is grown.
Situated at the foot of the Andes, Antioquia/Medellin is one of the larger coffee growing areas with rich volcanic soil and a temperate and moist climate. This coffee is contributed to by hundreds of thousands of smallholders and the Colombian Government is very strict about what is exported.
Excelso is a coffee grading term in Colombia. Excelso coffee beans are large, but slightly smaller than Supremo coffee beans.
Medellin Colombia is one of the finest of all coffees, with a smooth and consistently well-balanced flavour. When roasted to its optimum it gives a beautiful, smooth heavy body and a lovely nutty aftertaste. Ideal for filter, cafetière or espresso, we roast it medium and dark as well.
THIS MONTH’S WINE SUGGESTION – Beyra Quartz
If you like red wine from the Douro Region of Portugal, then this one is a beauty. The wine’s soul results from a unique combination between Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional native grapes, grown in granite and schist soils in the basin of the Douro river, from vineyards in the heart of Douro’s International Natural Park at an average altitude of 700m.
This terroir allows a unique combination of red currant, spice and mineral flavours together with fresh floral hints with an elegant and long aftertaste. Enjoy!
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