Honduras Organic 18 Rabbit Yellow Marcala Honduras: Organic 18 Rabbit Yellow, Marcala

I have been on a mission to find the "best" coffee bean to make my regular roast. I have tried a number of different beans and so far this is my favorite. Even if I end up finding one later that I like more I will keep getting this one as a regular one. I love the fact that it is organic. I am a newbie so don't know all the technical jargon to describe the flavors, etc., but it has a natural sweet flavor with a fruitiness. It was best after off-gassing for 5+ days before grinding and roasting.

This is instantly recognizable as a natural process bean by its berry-like notes. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the Ethiopian Misty Valley Yirgacheffe, but this Honduran bean is more delicate and light bodied. I found it just okay the day after roasting, but after giving it 5 days to off-gas it has transformed into something marvelous.

Roasted to beginning of 2nd crack, and the cup is very smooth. There's a hint of acidity, but it's muted and strangely comes off more in the aroma than the taste. I've never really seen green apple as a flavor note before and I was skeptical. But it's definitely there. It blends in with the caramel, as well as a hint of cinnamon to make something reminiscent of apple pie. Which, makes it sound like this is a super sweet coffee. But it's more mild than all that. Usually when I think fruity, I think of something bright and acidic like in Ethiopian, and that's not what this is. It's a more muted sweet; like a pastry more so than a jam. Definitely not as colorful as the red process 18 rabbit was. Overall though, still one of my favorites so far. I'm actually wondering if this bean might do better as a lighter roast. Right now I'm drinking it at a full city, but I wonder if the city or city+ might bring out more of the caramel apple. Either way, worth a try!