Counter Culture Coffee Washington, DC

Well, well…

More guests to welcome to the District! Today’s visitors were from a shop in Baltimore called Spro. Owner Jay Caragay and 10 baristas joined us for the cupping and later took a small coffee tour of some DC shops including Peregrine, ChinaTown Coffee, and SOVA (read more here).

These baristas had been working very hard to develop their palates since the start of Project Hampden, and their participation in discussion and technical assistance was much appreciated (as there can never be too many people pouring water and clearing cups for you)! They all gathered around a table at the end and worked up a description for each of the coffees that we tasted:

Finca El Puente
Marcala, La Paz, Honduras
Variety: Catuai
Elevation: 1580 meters
Harvest: December 2008 - March 2009
Roaster: Counter Culture Coffee
This fresh, medium-bodied coffee surrounds you with fragrances of vanilla, tobacco and toasted almonds. Finca El Puente’s deep, full and earthy roast begins bright and sharp yet ends with a light creamy and smooth tone. It will leave hints of semi-sweet chocolate lingering on your tongue and finished with the taste of hazelnuts.

Jagong (Gayo), certified organic, shade grown
Aceh, Indonesia
Varieties: bergundal typica, tim-tim & ateng
Altitude: 1600 - 1800 meters
Harvest: October 2008 - March 2009
Roaster: Counter Culture Coffee
This rich & savory cup of coffee is for those who take pleasure in the bittersweet taste of dark chocolate. It has the strong full-bodied flavor of nuts, woods and childhood s’mores leaving you with an aftertaste of warming spices.

Aida’s Grand Reserve, certified organic
Fincas Mauritania, Los Alpes & Kilimanjaro
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Varieties: Bourbon, kenia & typica
Elevation: 1400-1600 meters
Harvest: January-March 2009
Process: Natural & Washed
Roaster: Counter Culture Coffee
This unique and complex cup of coffee has an abundance of fragrances including grape, vanilla and cinnamon. The aroma pleasantly sweet with hints of nutmeg. After tasting this delicious and fruity cup of coffee, you’ll be left with a cornucopia of flavors that linger on your palate wanting more.

Thanks to Jay Caragay and the SproGroup!