Saturday 26 October 2013

Asda Extra Special Indian Elephant Farm





Interesting and attractive name, which the coffee doesn't live up to. Roasted slightly dark in order to attain some flavour out of it. This doesn't taste "Extra Special", it tastes ordinary. That doesn't mean it tastes bad, but I wonder why Asda selected this for their Extra Special range.

While it is a darker roast than I usually like, so the flavour is largely derived from the roasting rather than the character of the bean, it still does have enough acidity to cut through and balance the darker, deeper notes. It’s clearly not a classic coffee, but it’s decent enough. There’s milky chocolate, crushed walnuts, and a hint of blackcurrant and date. A reasonable coffee with pleasant lingering notes. It makes a decent if unexciting brew.

Not special, but quite drinkable.

The coffee is from Karnataka in India. On the whole coffee from India does not have a big reputation. It is low in acidity and character. The best coffee beans come from Karnataka, and at their best can rival beans from around the Pacific rim, but are mostly simply regarded as pleasant everyday coffees - which is what this is.


Score: 4


Asda tea and coffee

Thursday 17 October 2013

Asda Extra Special Organic Nicaraguan Coffee




Nicaraguan coffee was once seen as among the best in the world, but after internal and external problems in the 1980s, coffee production and quality suffered. There was too much use of pesticide, and the soil suffered. But the country's farmers have pulled themselves together, and have been creating organic coffee farms high in the cloud forests of the north, where conditions are best for growing quality arabica. Today Nicaraguan coffee is re-establishing its reputation, and often features in the top three in the world during international tastings. While there is no defined Nicaraguan coffee style, the flavours varying somewhat depending on the region, there is a tendency for mild, balanced coffees, rather than highly acidic ones. This suits me - for I do like a balanced, drinkable coffee, and I'm personally not in favour of highly acidic coffees - same as I'm not in favour of highly roasted coffees. Always give me balance.

This is a highly drinkable and relaxing coffee. Chocolate and hazelnut flavours blend to create a very pleasant everyday coffee. There is little here that stands out, and there is a lack of character, so this is not a coffee to drink and consider, but it's a damn good drink.

Score: 6


See:   Percol Nicaragua coffee


Asda tea and coffee