Just had Larry Jones of Rocket Coffee hand me over his latest blend - his new "reserve" line of coffees which amp up the quality a notch even higher than his normally high quality roasts.

This is my favourite part of the SCAA show.

I have to admit, I'm genuinely blessed throughout the year. I get to try on a regular basis coffees from some of the world's best roasters. Every week, I get 3lbs of Intelligentsia coffee to use in testing, and I get regular coffees from places like 49th Parallel, Stumptown, Batdorf and Bronson, Zoka, and other roasteries. That said, sometimes I get into a bit of tunnel vision, and my exposure to the same roasters and their own unique roasting styles makes me very familiar with their coffees. That's not a bad thing! But, it sometimes makes me forget there are even other roasters out there who have their own unique style and offerings. One roastery's interpretation of a #5 Brasil CoE coffee is often very different from another roastery's presentation of that very same coffee.

So one of my favourite things about the SCAA show by far is that I get exposed to so many wonderful coffees from roasters I normally never have contact with. And every year, the quality level and the quantity level of quality roasters goes up, and there's more and more to choose from. I have no doubt that by the time I leave Monday eve, my bag will be filled to the brim with lots of quality coffees. The first I got so far is this one from Larry, and I'm so looking forward to trying it.

(edit on Tues, May 8): tried it - and it rocks. deep manly start to this coffee, reminiscent of sweet, heavy tobacco, but also with a kind of brown sugar middle. Extremely sweet coffee. The middle kind of morphs into red berry chocolate - and I know why - it's a blend that includes Yemen Mocha San'ani - a bold, brave choice to add by Larry. highly recommended. A really nice espresso on the Silvia (using an Anfim "Best" grinder).