Kenya Muranga Kangunu AA

The fragrance of the dry grounds have a well-focused sweetness at City and City+ roast levels, giving off a scent of minimally processed sugars, and hints of citrus and spice. Brown sugar notes come alive in the wet aroma, a sweetness that's potent and way out front is cut through by notes of orange, lemon, and a spice sachet. In the brew, Kangunu AA showed well-developed sweetness, and mouth-refreshing acidity at both City and Full City roast levels. The lighter roast pulled out a sweet flavor of sugar cane juice - sweet to the finish - and illuminated by a vibrant accent of candied lemon peel. The cup cooled to hints of tropical tea, spiced accents of ginger and coriander powders, a delicate aroma of floral hops and rose hips in the finish, and a long, tannic aftertaste. Medium roasts developed more of a mid-toned cup, darker fruit notes, the bittersweetness of extra dark chocolate, with a ribbon of caramel. There was something aggressive in the sharpness of dark roasts, both bittersweet tones and the complex bittering of citrus rind are intensified in the finish. It should make a tongue-twisting Kenyan espresso, complex and big on the palate.