Buena Beans Cafe La Violeta

Buena Beans sent me their Cafe La Violeta to try. I will get to the review of that in a minute. Let’s just chat about the company for a sec, shall we?

The coffees are roasted in small batches every day. They are grown using sustainable practices, and the farmers that grow the coffee are paid a living wage, which means…you know…that they can actually live on it. Warning: rant en route…

Why is it that many Americans feel like they need a six figure annual income to barely survive on the meager basics and yet will buy cheap coffee at a the-store-that-shall-remain-nameless or one like it to ensure that the farmers that grew that coffee will never make enough to have inside toilets. Why is that? I happen to know that a family of eight can live very well on less that 25,000 a year because I have recently done that…and I don’t feel the need to buy cheap coffee, either.

end rant.

Ahem.

So, I was impressed with the company’s commitment to the farmer. That would not have gotten the coffee a good review in and of itself, however. When Marc ground the coffee the whole kitchen was scented with the fragrance. It was incredible.

As the coffee brewed I could hardly wait to taste it. The brew has an almost purple cast to it, nice and wine-y looking. The surface is clear and mirrors the room around it and the flavor is that clean, too.

Nice acidity. The flavors unfold in a complex parade; spice, plum wine, bittersweet chocolate, pecan, and finally a smoky finish.  I liked the coffee better the more I drank it and I think I prefer it black to having it with cream and sugar. Very rich and smooth cup that makes you want more when you are done.

Buena Beans Cafe La Violeta would go well with oriental dishes, plain cakes (like poundcake), and simple desserts. Give it a try…it is so worth it.

Oddly enough, I did a review on Archer Farms Estate la Violeta almost exactly a year ago. Have a look if you want to compare the two.

image:marye audet

image:sxc