Tasting Notes: Papaya, Strawberry, Citrus

Tasting Notes: Papaya, Strawberry, Citrus

Item information

Bale Mountain

Item information

Arsi, Ethiopia

Description

Variety: Ethiopian Heirloom

Processing: Natural

Origin: Arsi, Ethiopia

Producers: State-owned

Altitude: 1700-1900m

Bale Mountain National Park is a well-known area in Ethiopia that houses some of the rarest animals and plants in the world - as well as stunning highlands and mountain vistas. Recently, the Ethiopian government began working with local people at the edges of the park to cultivate coffee as a means of encouraging business and cultural development near the park. This area isn't as common for coffee farming as other Ethiopian regions, but with the high altitude and rich biological diversity nearby, coffee plants are thriving at the relatively new farm and producing some extremely high-quality beans. The farm is even beginning to experiment with some Gesha varietals, which we'll definitely keep our eye on as production continues to increase.

Coffees from Bale Mountain are being natural-processed and exhibiting all of the wonderful traits that top quality Ethiopian naturals tend to have: bright acidity and juicy fruit notes. This lot gives us a tropical taste of tangy papaya, as well as a strong presence of strawberry sweetness. A bold citrus acidity gives the cup plenty of bite and energy, making for a cup that we can see performing really differently depending on how you brew it. This will be a fun one to experiment with - leave us a comment and let us know what your preference is!

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Reviews

3.5 out of 5

Light and Sweet

I can definitely taste the fruitiness. It is quite light. I am enjoying it very much, although not my first pick.

Anna Acciani

Steubenville

Member Since

December '17

5.0 out of 5

Outstanding!

this is an incredible bag of coffee. You can actually taste the strawberry notes. Wonderful after taste.

Dustin Elliott

Philadelphia

Member Since

July '15

4.0 out of 5

Even fruitier than I expected

This coffee was delicious. Very full taste, but not heavy at all. The fruit flavors were immediately noticeable. I made it with an aeropress, and I couldn't help but think it might have been better with a different method...maybe a pour over? Anyway I still really enjoyed it.

Maria Acciani

Ghent

Member Since

December '17

5.0 out of 5

Juicy & Smooth

This one left a great first impression. Not the most complex cup, but it's smooth fruity flavor was pleasant start to finish.

Jonathan Barton

Endicott

Member Since

December '15

Bale Mountain

Tasty coffee roast not dark enough. Similar to a tea. Prefer a darker roast with robust flavor.

On 01/18/19 BJ said

Hey Don, If you're a fan of more robust, chocolatey flavors - you may enjoy our Classic series coffees! You can add them to your queue, or drop us a note at contact@moustachecoffeeclub.com and we can get you all set up.

Don Almerico

Destrehan

Member Since

January '19

5.0 out of 5

This is what a coffee club is all about

This is a coffee I wouldn't have picked for myself, but it grew on me. I normally prefer less "fruity" stuff, but this one worked for me for some reason.

Erik Hons

Austin

Member Since

April '17

very delicious

Have to agree with the other reviewers, this is a very nice, fruity, pleasant cup of coffee. And agree, it's what a coffee club is all about. Chance of me finding it from a local roaster who will roast it nicely to bring out fresh flavors is very small. I started drinking it about 1/17/19, always trying to give ten+ days past roasting date before I enjoy a new roast. Beans in the bag are very sweet in aroma, and even more so when ground each day. Brewing method is Hario pour-over, traditional 16-1 ratio at 190 degrees water. Ethiopian coffees seem to always have such unique and distinctive flavors, and the roast on this one brings out those nuances. Looks like the most recent delivery is another Ethiopian bean. It will be nice to compare. If you are looking to enjoy a light, sweet, fruity cup of fresh coffee for a week or two and expand your tasting horizons, I can recommend this one.

Jeff Walter

Branford

Member Since

February '17

4.5 out of 5

Love African coffees; this one doesn't disappoint

Lot of flavor in this coffee. Worth adding it to your queue.

Tyler Halstead

Chicago

Member Since

July '18

3.5 out of 5

Sweet and floral

It's a very light and sweet treat in the morning. I really like it. I was amazed at the fruity notes that come out of this coffee.

Thomas Shepard

Indianapolis

Member Since

February '19

5.0 out of 5

amazing

light, fruity. Can absolutely pick out the strawberry notes.

Gregory Dann

Dallas

Member Since

March '18

5.0 out of 5

phenomenal

truly superior Ethiopian beans, great roast, going to miss this one when not avail

On 03/29/19 BJ said

One of my favorites too, just nothing like a really solid Ethiopian natural. :)

Owen Kydd

Los Angeles

Member Since

January '17

4.0 out of 5

Yum

A really good natural. Strong but not overpowering fruity deliciousness.

Tim Browning

Idaho Falls

Member Since

February '16

5.0 out of 5

Love the fruit

Really, really like this coffee because of the prominent fruit flavors coming through. Also like the aroma that is sweet and kind of funky. Definitely want more like this in the future!

On 05/07/19 Tim Browning said

Funk is one of the best adjectives for naturals.

On 05/07/19 Benjamin Schilling said

I really haven't experienced many naturals but definitely want more!

Benjamin Schilling

Parker

Member Since

March '17

3.5 out of 5

Good, but not my cup of coffee

It's a solid roast, definitely on the lighter side and very fruity. Unfortunately I just don't like fruity notes in my coffee, lighter and floral is great but for some reason the fruit notes put me off. However that being said, objectively it is a great roast and if your personal tastes lean towards the fruity notes then this is a solid choice for you.

Marcus McClure

Webster Groves

Member Since

December '17

5.0 out of 5

Exquisite taste

Papaya taste was unique and refreshing

Santanu Barua

Castaic

Member Since

February '16

4.0 out of 5

A Tasty Cuppa!

I like good coffee, but don't consider myself a coffee snob. But I generally reach for dark, bold beans. I would have never picked a fruity coffee, but I forgot to update my queue, and it was selected for me. I really like it! I can actually taste and smell the citrus, but it's subtle, meaning it still tastes like coffee, not some fruit tisane. It was darker than I expected. I used a manual grinder and brewed in a French press for probably a couple minutes longer than I should have (I've got a sick kid today...) Thanks for helping me to expand my horizons!

On 04/05/19 BJ said

Hey Karole, Glad you enjoyed it, Bale Mountain is a personal favorite of mine lately. That extra minute or two in the French Press probably helped ground some of the fruitiness - naturals tend towards the wild side but you can always adjust brewing to emphasize the flavors you enjoy. :)

K Beck

Boise

Member Since

January '19

5.0 out of 5

That fruit note though

It's like coffee met fruity pebbles in a good way :)

Cody LeClair

Johnson City

Member Since

January '19

5.0 out of 5

My favorite so far

This coffee was incredible. Light, smooth, and fruity through my drip coffee machine, it was even better cold brewed. Every character was heightened, but provided for a smoother overall cup at the same time. I haven't had anything with this type of flavor ever before. I found it to be outstanding.

Daniel Bloch

Los Angeles

Member Since

May '18