Don Francisco's Kona Blend

My husband and I love Kona coffee. We just can't afford Kona coffee. So we have spent a long time looking for a blend that tastes good. You would be surprised how difficult that is. Well the search is over. We discovered Don Francisco's Kona Blend.

We tried some in the Chemex this morning, with no expectations, and we loved this coffee. This is a medium roast with a light fruity notes. Mark detected a bit of chocolate(he loves chocolate notes in his coffee). I found it to be a bright, sweet and very enjoyable cup of coffee. As with most Kona blends this is 10% Kona. The rest is Arabica beans(no know origin).

This is not an expensive coffee, and Don Francisco's is sold in stores around the country. We ordered this through Amazon. I recommend this coffee quite a bit, and eagerly await to hear other's opinions.


https://donfranciscos.com/

Charlie

Cafe Cubano by Mayorga

It's been a while since I've written. Haven't had much to say until now. Today I want to talk about Mayorga  to Coffee and their Cafe Cubano.

Mayorga begins with Martin Mayorga who founded the company. Mayorga is originally from Guatemala, but also lived in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Peru, before his family came to the U.S. The goal of the company is to work directly with coffee growers, promoting organic and sustainable practices, all to produce terrific coffee to coffee lovers.

I was looking to try a different coffee, and this brand popped up on a search, and I thought I would love to give them a try. I chose their Cafe Cubano dark roast coffee. As many people know dark roast coffees have a tendency to taste burnt or stale. I am always on a quest for a reliable dark roast with flavor that doesn't leave the burnt taste in my mouth.

Here is how the company describes this blend:

CUPPING NOTES: Bold/Smooth/Sweet

Full body cup with hints of vanilla and a sweet, syrupy smokiness, with a smooth, bold finish.

I opened the bag when it arrived, and expected a strong aroma, but the aroma is more subtle and very sweet smelling. Our typical brewing style is Chemex, so I did a pour over. I gave my husband his cup, and his first comment was, "Mmmmmmmmm...." That's a good sign. As I tasted it, I was struck by two things. First there was no burnt stale taste. This is indeed a smooth coffee. While Mayorga says there are notes of vanilla, I tasted a bit of chocolate, with the smoky flavor they indicate. 

This coffee is a revelation. If you want to ease your way into the day, I suggest you crab some of this terrific coffee. I've had many dark roasts over the years, and this one is superior. I didn't know this coffee roaster before, but now I want to try all their varieties. Well done Mayorga.

https://www.mayorgaorganics.com/

Charlie

Aloha!!! Hilo Coffee Mill

In 2017 I got married! My husband Mark and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon. While most people visit Honolulu, Maui, or even the Kona Coast, we went off the beaten path to Hilo, on the big island of Hawaii. I am so glad we did. The Hilo side of the island is not the most touristy part of Hawaii and that suited us fine. We stayed at a gay men's resort a few miles outside of Hilo, and was fairly close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Between the park and Hilo is Hilo Coffee Mill. Located in Mountain View, HI, the fine folks here sell some of the best coffee I have had - ever - PERIOD. They work with local farmers to cultivate and sell their coffees, and the result is simply amazing.

We bought various coffees on our trip, but what we really loved was their Kona coffee. Kona coffee is known for being very rich tasting and pretty expensive. Let me focus on the taste for a moment. This is a full bodied, rich tasting coffee. It is a medium roast, and I tasted a slightly sweet nutty flavor, but not an overpowering flavor.

As for the cost, their Kona costs $47.95. You know what? It's 100% worth the price. If you ever have wanted to splurge on coffee, this is the one I would recommend. They have other Hawaiian coffees which are also excellent and less pricey, but if you want a great Kona, pony up the money and get this.

Hilo Coffee Mill is part farm/part cafe/part roasting facility. They offer tours, lots of smiles, and make you wish you lived closer so you could visit more often.

I can't say enough great things about the coffee from here. I promise you will love it.

www.hilocoffeemill.com

Charlie

Welcome Back!!!

Low and behold I live. My last entry was in 2015. 2015!!!! A lot has happened in my life, but there has been one constant, and that is coffee. During these last few years I've had some good coffee, great coffee, and coffee that should be ashamed of itself.

So why am I back? Well I think there is more coffee stories to tell, and I plan on telling them. I hope you join/re-join me on this journey.

Charlie