Strawberry, Chocolate, Marshmallow
Variety: Heirloom
Processing: Natural
Origin: Sidama, Ethiopia
Producer: Bensa Small-holders
Altitude: 1900-2150m
Ethiopian Naturals can be some of the brightest, fruitiest coffees around, and we're happy to report that this lot fits well into that camp. Shantawene was grown by small-holders in the town of Shantawene and the surrounding Bensa district. The cherries were hand-sorted, then sun-dried on raised beds for 18 days. This is a bit more complicated than it sounds, as the cherries need to be raked regularly to promote even moisture content and covered during the hottest part of the day to protect them from over-drying. While it's a bit less water-intensive, the natural process still requires attention and expertise to produce great coffees - thankfully the folks at Testi Coffee are veteran experts in the Ethiopian coffee community, and their Shantawene washing station regularly processes incredible lots.
The flavors in this cup are bold and sweet - we're getting juicy strawberry tones right off the bat, with a nice creamy milk chocolate flavor and even a hint of lighter, marshmallow sweetness. Reminds us of one of those delicious strawberry truffles that comes in a holiday box of chocolates. This is definitely a coffee for folks with a sweet tooth, or for anyone who's looking for something unique to brighten up the winter months. Shantawene is a recent favorite at the MCC headquarters, and after giving it a brew, we think you'll see why.
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Sign in to commentJames Bruce Bell
Irvington
Member Since
October '18
A very delicious bean!
An unexpectedly different flavor profile from the aroma. I liked it although I was hoping for more of the sweetness that I smelled to come through. On the other hand the familiar tart fruits of Ethiopian beans did not disappoint. I liked it very much.
12/21/20
Ethan R
Sausalito
Member Since
October '15
Intriguing, but...
Every 50 or so Moustache deliveries, I'll run into one I don't care for. Shantawene is that for me. While it's certainly intriguing and offers a moderate level of complexity, the flavors just aren't pleasant IMO. Maybe a bit of strawberry sweetness, but I'm not picking up on marshmallow or chocolate. There's a moderate level of acid present that when combined with a certain earthy, fungal nature to this bean, does not sit well with me. Your mileage may vary.
12/22/20
Jason Melnyk
Gaithersburg
Member Since
December '20
Smooth and hint of fruit
Not bitter. Very nice smooth taste.
12/23/20
Alan Chen
Averill Park
Member Since
October '14
Intriguing..in a good way!
A very pleasant roast! Knew it was going to be special from the slightly fruity aroma of the beans and it did not disappoint!
12/24/20
Tim McCarthy
MORAGA
Member Since
June '16
Fragrant Grind and Tasty Brew
I get the strawberry taste and a bit of sweetness at the end. Very much enjoy the coffee. Another great coffee from the Moustache team. The AI engine most love the coffee too because I have 3 bags of it! All for Christmas week.
12/24/20
Justin Aleo
Chicago
Member Since
December '15
One of the very best
I've been having high-end coffees at home for years, and I rank this among the very best of them. Moustache's tasting notes are right on (and that's saying something; I often struggle to detect the listed notes for any given coffee), and they're all flavors that I like best in a coffee (berry, chocolate, the sticky-sweetness of marshmallow or something like it). I dare say I pick up malt in this too - another of my top flavors.
12/29/20
Aleksey Smolenchuk
Pleasant Hill
Member Since
December '20
Definitely bright and fruity. No earth tones.
Did a coarse and a medium ground pour overs to compare. Either was not bitter or too sour which was nice since I always end up messing it up. Hard to get wrong so that’s a plus! Definitely tart and herby “fruit” profile. Not sure about strawberry or chocolate or marshmallows. No earth tones at all which is what I was looking for.
12/30/20
Skylar Venema
Wheaton
Member Since
May '20
I was surprised by this one.
I was expecting this to be a really good pour over, yet when I brewed it it didn't have much fruitiness or very distinctive flavor like many naturals do. I later tried it on the french press and the flavors came out much more and I could get some of the strawberry type fruitiness and the creamy mellow accent. It also had good body. Then I tried it on the espresso and I was very surprised by how good it was. It turned out with a very strawberry fruitiness and nice creaminess with a good tasty finish. I would have probably been making it espresso much more if I would have realized it earlier on :)
01/01/21
Tim Browning
Pocatello
Member Since
February '16
Solid Natural
I have very good luck with naturally processed coffees from Sidama. This coffee has the delicious fruitiness you crave. I'm enjoying a hot cup at this very moment.
01/03/21
Victoria Romero
Denver
Member Since
December '20
Best coffee ever
This was the smoothest most wonderful coffee I’ve had in a long time. Was tired of plain coffe, decided to try this and couldn’t be happier. Would definitely recommend! And will definitely be ordering again
01/07/21
Rodney Shetler
Rochester
Member Since
January '21
Fantastic bean
Truly enjoyed this one. Floral and smooth
01/14/21
Julie Geist
De Soto
Member Since
January '21
It’s amazing and has no bitterness!
No bitterness!!! Flavorful and very smoot! Would definitely recommend!
01/15/21
Starfire Gallagher
Appomattox
Member Since
January '21
Light and flavorful!
This was our introduction to Moustache Coffees, and it's wonderful! It's very light and not overpowering, with hints of sweetness. The best part is that it's not bitter at all! Looking forward to having this one again soon.
01/25/21
Natalie Ankerich
St Louis
Member Since
November '20
Best cup
This may be my best cup yet from moustache. Bold and a ton of of flavor. Will order again!
01/25/21
Michael Hill
Chicago
Member Since
November '20
Excellent cup of coffee!
Really enjoyed this coffee! Brewed via chemex and was definitely able to taste the strawberry and chocolate notes, although I never tasted marshmallow. However, for whatever reason, I had a particularly difficult time brewing this coffee. Unlike other coffees I've received from Moustache, my pours would often stall with this bean. Tried changing the grind size to counter but that ended up muting the flavor of the coffee. Overall though, really did enjoy!
01/27/21
Carlos Line-Torres
Brighton
Member Since
January '21
Great bean
I enjoyed the strawberry notes a lot! Definitely looking forward to more fruity notes from future beans
02/07/21