Starbucks Komodo Dragon Blend

Starbucks Komodo Dragon Blend

is an interesting coffee. Starbucks says that it is spicy - I differ and say it is more of a fruit-like flavor. At first I thought it was like apples, then I changed my mind and after a little more tasting, decided it was like peaches or watermelon.

I purchased a cup while I was in town taking care of business. I decided that a cup would be a good reward for me, so I went in, planning to get a cappuccino, but when I saw that they had Komodo Dragon Blend as a coffee of the day, I just had to get some. I was not disappointed.

Besides having a spicy or fruity taste, this coffee is very smooth to the last drop. Komodo is bold - but it is not as bold as Starbucks House Blend. It is full-bodied coffee with an excellent mouth-feel and smooth finish. If you serve this up with a little cream and sweetener it is as good a dessert as you can find. It is excellent stuff, I promise.

When selecting coffee for my home use, I try to find a coffee that has universal appeal. I want something I can brew as espresso or as Americano with equally good results. This is definitely a quality blend with a great taste from start to finish.

I will have to get some Komodo Dragon Blend as soon as I deplete my reserve of Sumatra Organic Reserve. (Any other coffee lovers out there that have over three pounds of coffee in their cabinets?)

As always, may your next cup be the best!

Dutch Bros Coffee

Recently I did a post about the awesome mocha drinks at Dutch Bros Coffee. Today I visited them again to get an Americano and to provide you with the details of the tasting.

Most coffee places just do a drip grind of their coffee, run it through a drip coffee maker and serve it up. This is not the case with Dutch Bros. They don't make drip coffee for their customers. Instead, they brew up a 4-shot Americano for their tall drink. Then they put the coffee into a cup that has a second one on the outside to serve as an insulator (Has anyone besides me had the little insulator sleeves fall off or get stuck in their coffee cup holder in the car?).
The drink I received was piping hot. The barrista even added my Splenda to the cup for me. This is part of the good customer service I have received from this coffee company. I was asked for my coffee card (10 drinks and the next one's free), which I surrendered to get closer to that free cup - did I say that I LOVE coffee discounts and freebies?

The americano I received was flavorful with a mild acidity that really would work well in a mocha drink. I now know why the mocha I got the other day was so good. There is a definite taste of chocolate in this coffee - without any chocolate being added. The brew wasn't overly sweet as my usual 2 packets of Splenda did not make the coffee too sweet - it was just right, and could not be any better. The "3 bean blend" that is used by Dutch Bros is very similar in flavor to some of Gevalia's coffee I have tasted. It does seem to be smoother, however. If you like Gevalia's coffee, you will really enjoy a Dutch Bros Americano.

If you have a Dutch Bros store in your area, I highly recommend them. If you don't, here is a link to the Dutch Bros website.

As always, may your next cup be the best!

Peru Chanchamayo by Starbucks Coffee

I got up this morning and decided that I wanted something different for my morning brew. I went to the local Starbucks and got a venti cup of their Peru Chanchamayo.

Peru Chanchamayo is classified as a medium roast. Coffee made with these beans is very smooth and satisfying. It only has a little acidity and is a coffee that I think would be an ideal brew for serving with breakfast. It would also be great for serving by itself as an after-meal treat. On the Coffee Tasting Wheel, Peru Chanchamayo would come up in the Mild category.

It definitely has a sweetness to it that I quickly noticed. I usually drink my coffee with Splenda. When I buy a large cup, such as the venti size, I put in 2 packets of the sweetener. For bolder blends, this is perfect. I found that with this Peruvian coffee - that 2 packets are too much sweetener. If you drink sweetener in your coffee, add the first packet, taste, THEN add more if you need it. At least the cup didn't taste like syrup from over-sweetening.

The aroma of Peru Chanchamayo could be characterized as a cross between chocolate-like and syrup-like. This only makes sense since this brew is mild and sweet in flavor.

If you like a quality, mild coffee, this is definitely for you. Starbucks usually has fairly strong coffee, but Peru Chanchamayo does not come off strong at all. It is excellent stuff - I know you won't be disappointed.

May your next cup be one of the best!