I recently attended a "Columbian" trade fair here in Toronto and was happy to find a bag of Juan Valdez coffee in my SWAG Bag. I'd had JV coffee in a NYC coffee shop but I'd never had the opportunity to try the home brew.
While I was pleased with the coffee branded as "Volcano" the package described the coffee as follows:
A unique combination of Colombian coffee, ideal for preparing espresso. Among its attributes include high body, intense aroma and flavor enduring, essential features in a perfect espresso. A coffee aromatic notes that will surprise your palate.
It met all of those points and then some. I found that the extra fine grind released all of the flavours and the aroma. It was even and almost sweet. It required no cream or sugar and left me with an alertness that could in no way be considered a "Buzz". Where we were a bit dissappointed was where food was concerned. Let me explain.
On it's own it was wonderful but with a simple breakfast consisting of a fried egg on toast with a slice of tomato seasoned with some basil and a little salt and pepper all I could taste was the coffee. I've had coffee that has a powerful flavor before but nothing like this. while I'd recommend it for it's pure coffee flavor I still prefer the coffees that are roasted locally. Perhaps when they're tasting they are subconsciously being culturally sensitive to our local food.
Posted on: 2015-11-11 3:03 PM 
