Sweet Maria's Polar Expresso Holiday Blend

Our ever popular Polar Expresso Holiday Blend is a true "dual-use" blend in that it produces a very tasty cup at both ends of the roast spectrum, and as espresso or regular brewed coffee. We found Full City to be the optimal starting point for espresso extraction, though it can certainly be roasted lighter for brighter toned brewing. Vibrance is not sacrificed altogether at Full City roast level either, though tart dark berry and tangy citrus notes are tempered by syrupy bittersweetness. Pour-over brews of a City+ roast had an attractive stone fruit notes in the aroma, like ripe apricot, and peach, and a very attractive honey sweetness came through as the coffee cooled. The acidity also read "plum" for me, and offered an added layer to the "stone fruit" theme.

Evaluated as espresso, Full City (400 F 1st crack / 432 F finish) roasts had a complex aroma filled with dark chocolate taffy laced with torched sugars, and cooked berries. My ristretto shots had sharpness of both bittersweet chocolate and fruit flavors. The initial hit noted blueberry, lemon juice, and drizzle of plum sauce, which quickly giveway to bittersweet, dark toned flavors of high % cacao bar, and the creamy center of extra dark chocolate truffle. This silky espresso weighs heavily on your palate, and letting it sit in your mouth gives you time to peel back complex layers of cocoa, dark chocolate ganache, zested orange, cinnamon-apple pastry. Longer pulls highlight fruited acidity, like cranberry, and bright citrus tones, and will work particularly well for an Americano.

My darkest roast was right at the edge of Full City+, with a few snaps of 2nd Crack in the cooling tray (402F 1st crack / 444 finish). The level of sweetness was impressive amidst the roast intensity and low tones, as were hints of dark fruit. "Creamy" is a good descriptor of flavor and mouthfeel, profiles of dark chocolate torte with alternating ribbons of salted caramel, and blackberry sauce. The finish is so long and complex with subtle spice aromatic notes, and a hint of scorched cedar. 

This limited edition blend is only available through the holiday season!