Sulawesi Toraja Does Not Mean, “Merry Christmas”, in Swahili

…But it is still a very good coffee. Sulawesi Toraja is an Indonesian coffee bean with an unusual brightness for a coffee from that region.  It isn’t especially fragrant when you open the bag…In fact I was sort of disappointed because I like when that good coffee aroma fills the kitchen.

But the beans looked plump and nice and it made up for it’s lack of a first impression as soon as the hot water hit it.  You know, some coffees, like some people, just don’t come into their own until they are in a little hot water..then they rise to the challenge.  There, there’s your philosophical thought for today.

The aroma was good.  Nice color in the cup.

I tasted black pepper, black currant, and an earthy flavor that was awesome.  In fact, I like the combo so much that I am working on a black currant and black pepper jelly.  Anyway, this is a surprisingly light coffee for the flavors it contains.  It did no hit me as being a primarily after dinner cup but more of an afternoon pick-me-up.

Definitely try it.  If you are roasting your own, go for a full city roast.

image:(c) maryeaudet 2008