Roaster: Stumptown
Selection: Ethiopia Tega & Tula
Date: Roasted 8/8, cupped 8/18
Flavor Profile: (From their website description.) The aroma of fresh apricot and black tea leaves transforms into complex flavors of transparent stone fruit juices, toasted sugar and distinct bergamot tea.
Other Cupping Notes: (Again from website) Membratu took a leap of faith when he purchased his two neighboring plantations, Tega and Tula. The Bonga subregion of the Djimma region in Southwestern Ethiopia is the original coffee producing zone in history. Once known as the Kaffa Kingdom, modern day Bonga is not known for excellence in quality. Our friend Membratu has changed all of that with his Ethiopian Heirloom varietals and advanced washed processing techniques that incorporate Penagos technologies.
Coffee Details:
Location
7º 25′ 33.90″ N x 36º 07′ 31.20″ E
Elevation
1850–1900 Meters
Varietal
Ethiopia Heirloom
Region
Africa
Rising even from the steeping crust, the aroma came dense and chocolately, in a “chocolate berry gingersnap” lure, complete with molasses. Upon breaking the crust, some of the bakery projections were concentrated into those of the spice rack specifically. A musty spice, reminding me of curry powder, sharpened out of the sweeter scents.
I found the Tega & Tula to have a medium body that deposited a faintly grainy texture on the tongue like a fine dust and imparted a dryness seeming almost papery.
There was, as advertised, a definitive black tea characteristic, the toasted component coming through soundly. Also immediately present was a fruit-skin quality, similar to the meat of a banana, or the surface of a peach, apricot, or otherwise fuzzy fruit.
The mouthfeel, after drinking, left a rather “dirty” cup. I mean that the textures and tastes, after all was said and done, resounded in a muddled experience remaining to the tongue.
Overall, a convoluted taste and texture experience that meandered through pantry and kitchen like a hungry sleepwalker. In a not unpleasant way, it partook of everything, merged them while dreaming, and awakened trying to remember why those teeth needed brushing already.
