Roaster: Novo
Selection: Finca Santa Teresa, from Panama
Date: Roasted 7/1, cupped 7/12
Flavor Profile: (From their website description, a page which has unfortunately been taken down. …This happens when you have small crops that go quickly in and out of season as well as stock.) Fragrance – Honey; Aroma – Caramel; Body – Medium; Nuances – Honey, slight spice, caramel, clean finish.
The aroma of the Finca Santa Teresa was immediately very light, sweet, and clean. There was a syrupy aspect and the first hint of nuttiness.
Upon tasting, the Teresa proved itself to be much as it smelled. Light, sugary, with a delicate, natural sweetness that made it into an easily clean and drinkable cup without so much as a limp of sugar or drop of cream in sight. It almost tasted as if it’d already had simple syrup added. I would call it a good morning cup of joe jane, a girl-next-door compliment to breakfast. Not complex or overwhelming by any stretch, only honey-sweet and neat.
I found just a pinch of raw hazelnut in the cup, and a slight tinge of spice.
I’ve cupped several other offerings from Novo, so I must say I was slightly disappointed in the regard that my stockings were at no point knocked off with this particular selection. I do, however, appreciate the integrity of the cup, the essence of sugarcane and honeysuckle, that the Teresa is dedicated to.
Overall, this Panama is the kind, in keeping with the prior female companion analogy, one might bring home to introduce to mother. But being a decidedly prim and sugary cup, perhaps not one to make a passionate fuss for.
