Sumatra Aceh (January 2016)

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(Starbucks launched Sumatra Aceh in Starbucks Reserve stores in North America on February 16, 2016. My articles here on this website often don't correspond to the national launch dates of Reserve coffees because they often appear at the Roastery about one month before the national launch.)

Sumatra Aceh is coming to Reserve stores everywhere soon (I should specify, Reserve Starbucks locations in the United States and Canada - Usually Reserve stores in Canada and the United States receive the same Reserve coffee offerings.)

This morning (January 9, 2016), I dropped by the Roastery, and Coffee Master Roaster Josh was roasting a batch in the smaller Roastery roaster. He said it's about a ten minute roast time. I happen to catch him just before the "applause" moment when it comes out of the roaster. Right before it comes out, he continuously does a visual inspection to make sure the roast profile is perfect. And then it pours out!

Have a look - I love that moment of coffee racing out of the roaster!

The coffee comes from a cooperative of farms on the northern part of the island of Sumatra - the Aceh region. (It's pronounced like - Uh-Chay). The coffee is grown at an elevation of about 1,600 to 1,800 meters - that's more than 5,000 feet elevation! The coffee description is banana and chocolate for tasting notes. Since this is a semi-washed coffee, I would expect that it will have a very full, excellent body to it.

Sumatra Aceh is a component in Pantheon Blend No. 2, which is a blend exclusive to the Roastery. The background of the card (meaning the darker blue and aqua toned leaf patterns) were inspired by the native Sumatran plant, Rafflesia Arnoldii. The lighter line-like pattern (over the leafy background) draws its inspiration from the congested rural roads of the Sumatra island.

I bought some to take home with me today! Can't wait to try it soon!

For a fabulous food pairing with this coffee, click here.

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