Bean Review: Bonanza Espresso Blend

There's a George Bonanza to see you

Doorman (Seinfeld episode “The Watch”)

The last time I was in Berlin I took some time to visit and try their independent coffee scene. During my trip one roaster/place was the highlight, Bonanza Coffee Roasters. Independent Berliner retro innovative roaster, with a philosophy of roasting as little as possible to fully develop flavours and bring what makes the coffee distinct

Coffee Time

Bonanza's Espresso Blend is a mix of Irmas Pereira Brazilian with Ethiopian Limu beans from Seka Forest

Roaster: Bonanza

Medium Roast

Espresso Blend

Varietals: Acaia / Bourbon / Catuai / 74110 / 7227 JRI

Score: 5/5

I got a bag of their espresso blend thanks to a friend that lives in Germany and was kind enough to bring it back to London. The coffee has a medium body with long aftertaste and mild bitterness. Short but sharp acidity coming from citrus notes and cherries. To balance flavours some chocolate, caramel sweet notes, and a nutty touch from hazelnuts

Macchiato

Great for milk based drinks such as flat whites or macchiato as the milk highlight the sweetness and hazelnut flavours

The beans were grinded with a Rancilio Rocky grinder and the extraction made with a Rancilio Silvia

Bonanza
Coffee Roasters
Twitter: bonanzacoffee

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Bean Review: Nude Espresso’s East Blend

You know I went out once with a nude model. Never let me see her naked. Hundreds of people see her naked every week, except me. Needless to say it was quite vexing

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Doodle”)

Nude Espresso has always been one of my favourite independent coffee places since this London coffee movement starter. Every time I have the chance to be nearby one of their stores I got a cup. So it was time to review the signature blend of this micro-roastery.

Nude into the hopper

You can buy their beans on their website or any of their stores. They have a good selection of single origin and their East Blend.

Roaster: Nude Espresso

Medium Roast

East Blend

Varietals: Not specified

Score: 3/5

Espresso and Pasteis de Belem for Breakfast

It was not bad but not great. I had mixed feelings as Nude is definitely a great place to get a nice cup of coffee. If you love a nice thick layer of crema on your espresso you might be a bit disappointed as all the extractions gave me quite thin results. The coffee is not that strong, has lovely aromas and nice and long aftertaste. It’s sweet with some acidity, some smoky wood notes, and mild bitterness in the shots. Milked based drinks resulted a bit mild, with the milk overpowering the coffee. Best for single or double shots of espresso avoiding any milk but again you might be disappointed with the crema.

The beans were grinded with a Rancilio Rocky grinder and the extraction made with a Rancilio Silvia

Nude Espresso
T: 077 1289 9334
Coffee Shop & Micro Roasters
Twitter: NudeEspresso

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Bean Review: Algerian Coffee Store’s Velluto Nero

Yeah, see they like to sell their own coffee

Jackie Chiles (Seinfeld episode “The Maestro”)

Algerian Coffee Store is probably one of London’s oldest coffee traders established in 1887. Even though ownership have changed since they open they have kept some of the original features and they offer one of London’s cheapest coffee in Soho with a £1 for an espresso or £1.2 for a cappuccino

They have many blends and single origin but the one that took my eye was the Velluto Nero. A dark roast blend of South and Central America beans.

Coffee Beans

Roaster: Algerian Coffee Store

Dark Roast

Velluto Nero Blend

Varietals: Not specified

Score: 3/5

It’s a good coffee, definitely for espresso shots. A nice layer of crema, the dark roast is not as intense as in other beans I have tried, quite low bitterness, and a long aftertaste. Some floral notes but quite subtle. Milk based drinks as flat white it felt a bit one-dimensional.

Coffee Time

The beans were grinded with a Rancilio Rocky grinder and the extraction made with a Rancilio Silvia

Algerian Coffee Store

T: 020 7437 2480

Coffee Store

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Bean Review: Irmas Pereira

I got history of coffee tables, celebrities and their coffee tables. It's a natural. This is a story that must be told

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Cigar Store Indian”)

I remember the first time I tried the Fazenda Irmas Pereira beans was in a blend from Bonanza coffee in Berlin. It was probably my favourite cup of that trip so I took the time to look for a local option here in the UK.

Coffee Time

This Brazilian single origin is harvested in one of the country most recognised growing areas the Mantiqueira hills. The farm is producing high quality beans since the 70s. The beans came in a medium roast from Rave Coffee Roasters.

Roaster: Rave Coffee Roasters

Medium Roast

Irmas Pereira / Single Origin Brazil

Varietals: Bourbon, Catuai and Catucai

Score: 3.5/5

Really nice coffee, especially for espresso drinks with milk such as flat white or cappuccino. The extraction does not create a massive crema but well enough for an espresso. The extra sweetness of the foamed milk goes great with the chocolate notes from the beans. A notch of acidity and there is a nice aftertaste that is quite subtle.

The beans were grinded with a Rancilio Rocky grinder and the extraction made with a Rancilio Silvia

Rave Coffee Roasters

T: 01285 651884

Coffee Roasters

Twitter: RaveCoffee

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Coffee Enquiry XLII: Back to Clerkenwell for Thermos

Come on, I'm telling you, it's great. I opened up all the windows, the air is cold, the tub is boiling hot. It's like Sweden, man, Sweeeeden!

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Hot Tub”)

I got an invitation from Thermos to try their new product on Workshop Coffee in Clerkenwell. Last time I was there was a long time ago when they were St Ali

Got a bit early and took a flatwhite from their Kenyan single origin before the presentation. Great latte art, amazing taste, nice sweetness with some vanilla touches

Flat White Time

Beans: Workshop Coffee

Machine: La Marzocco

Score: 5/5

Now up to the Thermos presentation, their new line of flask, travel mugs, tumblers, or food flasks stay hot from 5 to 24 hours. The first thing we did was to try a coffee they put in the flask 11 hours ago, the coffee was piping hot, just like they brewed a couple minutes ago

Thermos Presentation

Great product if you are travelling or are picky with the coffee you drink and want it always hot. The double wall vacuum insulation will make sure the temperature stays for long periods, I even tried the coffee 22 hours after they brewed it and it was still hot

We ended the presentation with a masterclass on coffee from the Workshop staff, and even practice the V60 and Aeropress brewing methods

Was great to come back to Workshop and thanks to Thermos for the invitation I even bump into my friend Krista, great fun, amazing new product, and lovely coffee

Workshop Coffee

T: 0207 253 5754

Coffeehouse

Area: Clerkenwell

Borough: Islington

Twitter: WorkshopCoffee

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Disclosure: I received products from Genuine Thermos Brand as compensation for the post, and Genuine Thermos Brand did not influence any opinion of this product. All views and opinions expressed in the post are my own and no other compensation was provided