Kenya Bungoma Uteuzi Jimbo AA – Top Lot

Description

Low Stock – Only 12 Pounds Left!

Uteuzi Jimbo is the Swahili for “county select”. This is a regional production coffee, a cool small holder aggregate production. This production methods leads to “prime” examples of the area. The smaller the production chop, the more unique it can be, aggregate top lots like these really give the “taste/terroir” of the area. Although most might not be able to differentiate the terroir of different Kenyan regions, this is a perfect example of a clean and tasty Kenya coffee, hit the classic Kenya profile on the head. A stronger cup filled with bright floral tones balancing with spice and herbal dark chocolate notes.

This regional blend is based on cup quality and character, seeking a balance of “taste of place” with availability and price. These lots are built as blends from coffees that cup out between 84–87 on our 100-point cupping scale, and come with regional and often microregional traceability, but are not farm- or producer-specific.

However, Kenya coffees are sold competitively by quality (which is why this lot is on the pricier side), which means well-endowed counties like Bungoma that produce a high percentage of top lots each season, achieve very high average price for the coffee year after year, the smallholders here with a few hundred trees for the most part, are widely considered to be middle class.

Tasting Notes: A very clean, exotic and balanced cup of coffee. This cup hit the classic Kenyan cup profile on the head without being too overwhelming like some (very balanced in its tones). Not quite sizzling but a very noticeable lemony floral tone upfront at the light to medium roast points balanced with some stronger semi-sweet, heavily spiced (think black tea herbal spice, not cinnamon) chocolate like tones. A hint of soft fruit can be found in the aftertaste but gets overwhelmed but the cups stronger light/dark tones. Light roasts will swing the balance towards the floral citric side, darker roasts more towards the jazzy baker’s chocolate aspect. Holds up into 2nd crack for you dark roast fans. Low acidity and strong bittersweet chocolate tones with the traditional Kenyan spice note that leaves a very smoky tone on the pallet.

Roasting Notes: Clean, great screen and easy to roast. If you like a little acidity, this cup shines at a nice medium roast. Lighter roasts work well but only for very citric floral coffee fans. Right around 2nd crack to just into it will reduce the acidity pretty drastically from the lighter roast points. a 3-4 day setup really smoothed out the cup and brought forth a much greater depth of flavors.