A Coffee Tasting at the Tea Gallery

 

The Tea Gallery will host a Coffee Tasting at 10am on Saturdays. It is your opportunity to try gourmet and artisan coffees that will be sure to delight your palate. During the tasting, we will suggest ways for you to examine and explore each coffee and how it affects you.

Because we want the experience to be personal, we will limit each tasting to six to eight people. We can accommodate a group up to ten however, you must call us in advance to schedule a time. There will be $5.00 charge per person.  Due to the cost of the coffees, we are unable to stock any for sale however, we can special order them for you at a great price and usually get delivery within ten days

We encourage you to call in advance so we can be sure that you have the best possible experience. We will accept folks who stop by but only if there are less than six in that group.

 

The Tea Gallery now carries exotic coffees that are the finest and most desirable in the world. They are also the most expensive ($30-$320 per pound). Island coffees like Kona, Blue Mountain and Kopi Luwak are mild in flavor and have no bitterness typical of most other coffees. Kopi Luwak often sells for $10-$30 per cup in specialty coffee shops in the US.

It is estimated that more than 80% (numerous sources) of the world's population consumes some form of caffeine. Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks (sodas, pops), and Chocolate being the most common sources. Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. As a beverage the worldwide consumption of tea is surpassed only by water.

Caffeine was developed by plants as a defense against insects, bacteria, and other organisms including plants (numerous sources). Because of this, coffee plantations often loose their plants after 25 years.

Caffeine has numerous health benefits for men and women. Weight loss, long term memory improvement, alertness, slower progression of Parkinson's disease, headache and pain control, and for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (numerous studies).

There are also some downsides to using caffeine. Disrupted sleep cycle, upset stomach, more severe PMS, slightly increased Osteoporosis, and dilation of the eyes affect some people. (numerous studies).

In addition to our 'house blend' these are the coffees we will taste.

	Kona This 100% pure Hawaiian Kona Extra Fancy is bursting with flavor. Very smooth, balanced cup. Hawaiian coffees are grown on new (geologically speaking) volcanic soil in a tropical paradise that is gently cooled by a gentle Kona breeze. These perfect conditions produce a coffee that is equally perfect in many aspects. Hawaiian coffees are the epitome of balance. Coffee from these lovely islands is clean, mild with a nice hint of milk chocolate, and just enough fruit and acidity to round out the cup.
	Jamaican Blue Mountain Jamaican Blue Mountain fits the Island coffee profile (Hawaiian, St. Helena, Puerto Rico) of balanced, rich, delicate, and mild. We insure the delicate flavors are preserved by nurturing the roast to the point of just touching the 2nd crack. JBM should never be dark roasted. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought after and consistently the highest priced coffee in the world. With raw prices up to 20 times regular coffee, there is a very strict certification program to insure that if you buy Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee you get Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. If you want Jamaican Blue Mountain, you won't be getting any discounts from the Jamaicans and if you're getting discounts, you're not getting authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.
	Kopi Luwak (often translated as civet coffee) is renowned all around the world for its incredibly delicious, subtle, lingering flavor and exceptional smoothness. Kopi Luwak, or Civet Coffee, is "processed" by the Indonesian Civet, who populates the coffee-growing areas and comes out nightly to feast on only the ripest of the coffee cherries. The beans do not digest and are collected daily by farmers, who thoroughly sanitize the beans, and then dry them in the sun. Then the beans are roasted and vacuum packed for shipping. Genuine Kopi Luwak coffee beans release hidden flavor compounds from the beans that are never accessed by regular roasting and brewing. These wonderful, locked-away flavors are released because of the natural enzymes of the civet. Although the coffee is expensive per pound, a cup of home-brewed civet coffee actually costs less than an average cup of brewed coffee bought at a café like Starbucks.
	Culi One (Robusta) The Vietnamese pioneered and perfected the Robusta variety over a hundred years ago, from stocks established by Jesuits in the 1890's. Yet in the late 20th century, much of the gourmet quality of this heirloom variety was lost due to improper cultivation and harvesting. The Culi Robusta is Trung Nguyen's triumphant return to the best gourmet Robusta in the world. There simply is no other source that we have found that exemplifies the true potential of gourmet, heirloom Robusta raised in the perfect climate, picked in multiple sessions, and sun-dried for up to 100 days to achieve the full ripeness and wonderful flavor tones that cannot be duplicated in water-washed coffees. Caffeine: HIGH Acidity: MEDIUM Intensity: MEDIUM Serving Suggestions: Hot or iced; well-suited to cream and sugar.
	Liberica Coffee A unique and irreplaceable part of our worldwide coffee heritage, Liberica is the fourth species of coffee (the other three are Arabica, Robusta, and Excelsa). Liberica is its own rare and exotic coffee experience. Its almond-shaped beans have an exceptional aroma, almost floral and fruity, while its flavor is full and slightly smoky. Have a taste of history, an exotic cup of an endangered coffee that we guarantee you have never tasted anything like before. Liberica is a vanishing species of coffee that is only now being brought back from the brink of extinction.
	Legendee The Legendee is a unique enzymatically-treated coffee that releases flavors bound in the beans and not released under ordinary processing. The Legendee product is largely regarded as the world's most successful attempt to produce a coffee with the balance and flavor of the famous Kopi Luwak, or Civet/Weasel coffee. The Legendee family is one of the world's most famous branded coffees Legendee Whole Bean. This blend features a higher percentage of peaberries and Robusta, with correspondingly darker flavor that ices exceptionally well. Caffeine: HIGH Acidity: MEDIUM Intensity: MEDIUM

Kona Coffee is known the world over as one of the richest and most flavorful coffees available. This bold and exotic taste comes only from the coffee grown on the Kona , a small swath of land on the western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Blue Mountain coffee is grown in the specially designated area of the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Japan buys 80% or more of the beans which are shipped in wooden barrels instead of the burlap bags commonly used to transport the green coffee beans. The coffee has blue green color, good acidity, intense aroma, fairly good body, clean.

Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee, is produced mainly on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago, and also in the Philippines. The palm civet, eats the 'best coffee berries' because of the sweet fleshy covering. The undigested seed (bean), after gathering, thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness and is widely noted as the most expensive coffee in the world. There are now some processors who use a chemical process that simulate the enzymes in the civet, particularly in Vietnam. The Legendee coffee from Vietnam is an example of this processing.

Arabica

We have many organic and fair trade Arabica coffees from Sumatra, Mexico, Indonesia, including the Kona and Blue Mountain coffees. Arabica is the most widely consumed variety of coffee in America, however, there are three other varieties that are sold around the world, which we also carry: Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa.

Robusta
Creative One Culi Robusta is an extremely full-bodied coffee, partially Culi or "peaberry" mix, that fills the room with superior aroma. Some can detect a chocolaty flavor, too, that originates from the long ripening process. It is difficult to describe this coffee to Americans who have never had access to a gourmet heirloom Robusta, and who have been told that only Arabica coffee can be exceptional. This is one of the world's best gourmet "cheap thrills". Because of the prolific growth of Robusta, this coffee is available in a price range well below its worth in quality. The Culi Robusta is a high-caffeine coffee, with about 40% more caffeine than most Arabicas. It's hard to brew this coffee too strong. as it has few faults.

Legendee Whole Bean blend features a higher percentage of peaberries and Robusta, with correspondingly darker flavor that ices exceptionally well. It is a mixed-species coffee (Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, Liberica), that is chemically treated to mimic the effect of the enzymes of the civet digestive system.

Liberica
Our 100% Liberica coffee is its own rare and exotic coffee experience. Its almond-shaped beans have an exceptional aroma, almost floral and fruity, while its flavor is full and slightly smokey. Have a taste of history, an exotic cup of an endangered coffee that we guarantee you have never tasted anything like before. Liberica is a vanishing species of coffee that is only now being brought back from the brink of extinction. Our Liberica coffee comes from several mountains in the Philippines . Mt. Halcon, home to the poetic and peace-loving indigenous Mangyan tribes, is one of the most challenging climbs in the Philippines. Liberica in Quezon grows on Mt. Banahaw, considered to be a sacred mountain, where a yearly pilgrimage is done by avid mountain climbers.

 

Caffeine and Coffee
Coffee is a member of the Rubiaceae botanical family which includes gardenias and plants that yield quinine. The fruit, when ripe, has a thick, red, slightly bitter outer skin. The inner flesh is very sweet and is a source of protein for people and many animals. About 5%-10% of the coffee berries contain a single seed instead of the normal two, these peaberries' usually produce a more intense flavor and are more highly prized.

The taste of coffee depends on many factors. The species of the coffee bush, soil type, climate, elevation, harvesting and processing all effect the flavor and aroma. Some coffees are prized for their aroma, lack of bitterness, and flavor. Kona, Blue Mountain, and Kopi Luwak for example sell for $30, $40, and $320 per pound respectively.

Although there are more than 18 known species and many varieties of coffee, most commercially grown coffee comes from two main species: Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Some are naturally caffeine free, while others like Robusta have more caffeine than Arabica (popular in the United States). Robusta is often blended with Arabica for espresso coffee. Coffea Excelsa and Coffea Liberica (often blended with Robusta), are mild flavored but high aroma coffees.

Arabica coffee has been enjoyed for centuries. Probably originating in the plateau of Ethiopia. Arabica coffee is complex and aromatic, but requires careful cultivation and is fussy about soil, climate and elevation.

Robusta coffee is, as its name implies, a strong plant and can be grown under a wider variety of conditions. Because of the ease in growing, large quantities of mediocre or poor quality Robusta beans have been hitting the world commodity market, most of it finding its way into low-priced and instant coffees.

Excelsa was first discovered in 1904. This hardy plant is well known for its disease and drought resistant properties. This mild flavored coffee is often likened to Coffea Liberica. It's smooth, slightly earthy flavor, is a good coffee for those who do not drink coffee often or for those who do not like coffee with a bold, strong, or burnt flavor.

Liberica has a very mild, slightly nutty taste, despite the strong coffee smell produced. The demand for this bean is relatively low because of the mild taste and accounts for less than 1% of world coffee production.

 

Coffee can be frozen, but never re-frozen. Never store coffee in the refrigerator, only in the freezer. Be sure to remove all the air and place it in at least two freezer safe bags to ensure that it doesn't pick up any odors from other foods.

Reserve a space for you or your group early by calling us at 570-284-3032 or sending an email to info@the-teagallery.com. There will be $5.00 charge per person that can be applied to a purchase or an order of tea or coffee.