Review: Cafe San Ramon, Counter Culture

Background: Cafe San Ramon is one of several "Direct Trade Certified" coffees from this Durham, NC-based company that has a strong presence in the DC-area coffee scene. (On my last count at least 5 shops in the area use their products and they run a Regional Training Center in Adams Morgan.) 

Flavor: Brewed in a press pot, the cocoa-scented beans produced a smooth coffee with flavors of sweet chocolate and brown sugar, with a mild finish.

Source: Shade-grown in the mountains of Nicaraugua's Matagalpa region, the beans are "cultivated, harvested, sorted, pulped, fermented, and washed entirely on the farm where it was grown by the farmer and his family."

Rating: The beans were so chocolate-y smelling (and looking) that I was tempted to pop a couple in my mouth while waiting for the water to boil. With coffee this sweet, there's no need for sugar or a giant muffin to temper just another Manic Monday. I also think this would make a fine cafe con leche for those who prefer an even gentler nudge to wake up.