1st HUKY Roasting Competition discussion?

[hankua]

Looks like we have enough folks to start the process. Now we all need to roast the same bean this time and lets make it open to all members.

I'll stop by Bold Bean and get pricing on 4 pounds and some choices. I think $25 shipped is a good target if one of us does this at cost. Otherwise vendor shipping is going to cost more than flat rate padded and bump the cost up to @$30.

Bodi Leaf runs sales all the time and #5 shipping was $6.35 just now. So it's possible to get in the $25-$30 range with them. On the current Sumatra special #5 was $20.90.

[Gregr]

Sounds great Hank. Appreciate you doing the legwork on this.

[SusanJoM]

So, what beans are we gonna roast ?

[hankua]

Still working on it, got the padded flat rate envelopes in. I'll go by the Roastery this week and check on the Honduran Cerro Azul, my local GCBC distributor is supposed to be getting in.

[chrisdodson]

I don't think I'll be ready for this competition, but if y'all plan one for later in the year, I'd be excited to participate!

[hankua]

I've been waiting on my local GCBC distributer to source some beans and he's looking to bring in a Honduran Cerro Azul. This would be perfect price wise even with shipping both ways.

I just got finished going thru the Mill City competition thread and I'm not sure we can use SCAA scoring. So I'm think at least for the first time, it's more of a friendly competition with tasting comments. I'll have to check with them about scoring vs cupping which is their normal method of evaluation.

Bold Bean is supposed to have some new centrals coming in, pricing is going to be higher than RoyalNY. Also I'm planning on reserving #50 to be divided into #4 lots sent out priority flat rate padded envelope.

I like the idea of a Central bean because it's easy to roast and everyone can participate vs say a peaberry or Kenyan.

[hankua]

Aaron came by with the Cerro Azul, roasted and green. It's going to run around $2.50 lb, great price but average bean. His tasting notes were lemon/chocolate which of course I agree with.   

I'm going to roast several runs at different levels and see how it differs from the Behmor. He thought it was a bean that could use a darker roast, so let's see.

Aaron has some Ethiopians that are in the $4 range, one is supposed to be fruity, and the other with blueberry notes.

[kenneroast]

I'm eager to try anything new and different. Both of these candidates sound good to me. Are you closer to having something picked out to get this going?

[MJ5150]

Aaron has some Ethiopians that are in the $4 range, one is supposed to be fruity, and the other with blueberry notes.

I'd love 10 pounds of the Ethiopian with the blueberry notes. I had an Aricha at Slate in Seattle a few months ago that had the blueberry, it was amazing. With some cream, it tasted like a blueberry pancake.

-Mike

[hankua]

Got three batches of the Cerro Azul roasted up, one dark and 2 in the middle. The dark had 4:00RD, 11:54, 444f. One 3:00RD, 12:54, 413f, Other one 2:30 RD, 12:11, 412f. Still lemony chocolate but can be balanced out.

I did not get any Ethiopian samples, have to make a phone call on that. So how many people want to work with the Ethiopian's vs the Honduran? There's a big difference in the pricing.

Just got off the phone, the Ethiopians are going to run @ $4.60 - $4.80 lb. The one with blueberry notes is a Ethiopian Natural Limu, and the very fruity one is Hambala Gr1 Single Farm Natural Special Prep.

The Cerro Azul is supposed to come in a little under $2.50 lb. It's kind of an everyday coffee, pretty good with milk and sugar. Its missing some complexity compared to several years ago's offering.

Each person is going to get #4 for the competition, in a padded flat rate envelope. I would return in a small flat rate priority. I'll store the samples in my basement, which stays cooler than the house in Florida.
E
Here's what Aaron had to say:

"Folks, I have decided on this coffee and a Limu, both are naturals.
This one you see the notes, lots of fruits and a very nice floral.  The Limu is the blueberry patch.

I will have the bags in a few days then post them for sale along with the Cerro Azul which is a Honduran Coffee."

[MJ5150]

I'm still bummed from my poor showing at Mill City. Can I just buy 10 pounds of the Ethiopian Natural Limu?

-Mike

[hankua]

Sure!
But I'm not Aaron, he's a local GCBC distributor. It saves on shipping if I can source the greens locally.

The Limu offering will probably go live this week, you need to join GCBC to participate. 

[Gregr]

I vote for either of the Ethiopias. I was happy about the Central til I heard it was kinda average although I do appreciate you trying to keep the cost down.
I'll be roasting that Hambala next week- got a pound in the mail today 

[MJ5150]

Sure!
But I'm not Aaron, he's a local GCBC distributor. It saves on shipping if I can source the greens locally.

The Limu offering will probably go live this week, you need to join GCBC to participate.

Thanks for the tip. I just joined the forum.

-Mike

[hankua]

Sounds like folks would prefer the Ethiopian over Honduran. Between the Limu and Hambala, my guess the Hambala is a better choice based on the tasting note from Aaron. Super fruity, strawberry, floral, a little mouth puckering, juicy fruit, etc.

It would be interesting to see how people manage the fruit notes/roast level with this bean.