Community Coffee Sumatra Mandheling
February 6, 2009 by Marye Audet
Filed under Coffee
I was a little uneasy when a representative from Community Coffee contacted me about reviewing two of their coffees. I had tried Community Coffee years ago and really was unimpressed.
But honey, this is not your mama’s Community Coffee. I was surprised.
The Sumatra Mandheling is smooth and rich. A very oily bean with a wonderful deep aroma. The pot brewed up with the scent of the coffee filling the kitchen.
Yum.
The first sip was interesting. O.k..actually it was too hot and I had to put the cup aside for a few minutes. Cupping it there was a syrupy rich texture with a clean finish. Nice. Velvety. Notes of cocoa and spice complete the comfort of this cup.
This is a bold, comfortable coffee. The kind you sip on a chilly evening in front of a crackling fire. Like a very good friend it challenges you without being in your face. This is one of my favorites and is a must try for anyone that loves a smooth, bold cup.
While other reviews detected herbal, earthy notes I did not. Just a very smooth, cocoa spice cup.
Price for this coffee is exceptional. 7.99/ 12 oz
images:marye audet (c)2009 all rights reserved
I remember the same thing about them from years ago. Maybe they’ve gotten better?
Have you tried 8 o clock brand? I heard on the news it was recently named best in a tasting test by Consumer Reports. But it looks like they don’t do the whole bean thing.
Peggy I haven’t tried 8 o clock in years because it used to be soooooo bad.
Marye:
The description you gave sounded so yummy. I have been a coffee drinker for longer than I can remember. Well actually maybe some of your readers remember how their mom used to mix coffee with sugar and a lot of milk when you were little? That’s how my love for it began.
The main reason for my commenting is that I have tried Googling this situation. I have enjoyed Starbuck’s, Folger’s, Yuban, Hills Bros., Dunkin Donuts, Organic coffees, and even gourmet brands. I have purchased them in the now hard to find cans, plastic containers and the vaccum sealed packages.
NEVER have I experienced ANY of the coffees to be “clumpy”. Not from ANY of the containers–as with Community Coffee. After trying them (I have purchased 3 such vaccum containers over the past 6 weeks) from our local WalMart…I decided to contact Community Coffee’s Customer Care department. I spoke with a very pleasant gal by the name of Megan…she listened to my experience and said she would ask questions and get back to me the next day with an answer.
Now…the packages I purchased were VERY hard…NOT due to the vaccume sealing…they felt to be “solid”? Anyway…upon opening…you don’t experience that “rush” of air into the package you get from other brands and that even sound of air rushing into it. The brick of coffee just sits there.
When I pour it into a coffee container…there are VERY noticeable lumps of coffee…so much so that you have to break them down. This to me indicates “moisture”.
Well…Megan called me today, stated that according to their technical department it is “oil” from the beans? What???? I have NEVER EVER had this happen in all the years I have purchased coffee.
So I would like to know…since I am having trouble finding this information…
Has ANYONE else EVER experienced this? Is this true? And is not “oil” from the beans “moisture”.
I appreciate your input since they, Community Coffee came to you to evaluate their coffee.
Julia, first of all…thanks for commenting. I LOVE comments..it helps me know I am not talking to myself.
Second…Beans can have a lot of oil, especially if they are dark roast. I buy whole bean coffees and often they are oily and glistening…so depending on the type of coffee you got yes, it could well be oil.
If it has an off smell, looks molded or what ever then of course that is different.
Thanks for reading.