- Posted by intrepid510
- Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:43
Robusta!
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In one of the newest news stories here on Roaste I could not help to notice the link of a S.O espresso by Paradise roasters at the bottom of the page, India Sitara. The real interesting thing about this espresso blend is that it's 100% R-O-B-U-S-T-A?!?!?
I am very surprised to see this offering, and at the same time to be very intrigued with it. Mainly because I have had really good experience with the other offerings that I have tried by Paradise Roasters, Espresso Classico and Espresso Nuevo, and their tasting notes were pretty spot on what I tasted. And so here are the tasting notes of India Sitara;
"this robusta coffee has a delightful nose of vanilla, honey, maple syrup, and nuts. In the cup, it is full-bodied with a pleasing, rounded acidity and long, heavy finish. "
Doesn't sound too bad to me and it's suppose to well in milk, no surprise there!
The reason why this offering is so surprising is because Robusta is suppose to be mainly low quality filler coffee. It's a robust plant that does well in areas where other coffee plants (Arabica) cannot grow or do well at. However, this robust nature normally comes at the price of flavor normally giving a bitter coffee at worst and at best just bland. There is also the distinction that it has a higher caffeine content.
There are times when robusta is used in good coffee, must typically it is used as espresso, but only in small amounts. The reason why roasters like Vivace use a bit of robusta in a blend is to give it a little bit of kick, and it is also known for producing a lot of crema, which can be a good thing if you are pouring milk drinks and want a nice canvas for your latte art.
This blend has me so intrigued that I am really thinking about picking it up just to test it out, but at the same time am a little skiddish about picking it up because I have cut down on my milk drinks and don't really feel like going back at the moment. It just seems like it would be a horrible waste if I get and don't want to drink it...
Anyone out there have an experience with this coffee? I would really like to hear it!
REVIEWS & COMMENTS
@WAKENOT
intrepid510 | Fri, 02/10/2012 - 17:45Well a good robusta like this one was still not what I thought was good by itself however I could see how it would be nice to add it to a blend that is made for milk as it has a nice bite that I think people will like.
TEMPTING INDEED
Wakeknot | Tue, 01/24/2012 - 21:21they are a good roaster and just don't make bad coffee, so this must be worth trying. I have a vague memory of a thread on this on one of the other message boards, but I don't remember where or when. I think Robusta is probably unjustly vilified. Sure there is lots of bad robusta out there, but some world class coffee people believe it can be an essential component in an espresso.
@SON TON
intrepid510 | Wed, 01/11/2012 - 15:11Did you roast it yourself or was it something that you got out from a roaster? I am looking forward to trying this hopefully I will get before the weekend,
ROBUSTA
Son Ton | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 19:53I have no experience with this particular Robusta but what I know is that not all robusta are created equal (personally). I have had robusta that taste surprisingly good, with some sugar.
@ERIC
intrepid510 | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 15:48Well I shall tell you what I find out, I did see an old review on coffeereview that gave this so a 94 back in 2006 I believe, so the ratings seem to be tougher then so if the quality hasn't fallen off in the past five years it should be pretty good.
CURIOUS
EricBNC | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:51I want to try the Josuma Robusta but I expect the Paradise offering will be another good choice.
@SAMUELLAW
intrepid510 | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:19Well it appears that both yeahyeah and myself will be seeing how this coffee tastes, I am hopeful based on my past experiences with Paradise Roasters.
@HOONCHUL
intrepid510 | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:18They do have higher caffeine, so perhaps just a one shot? Anyway, a lot of espresso blends are but a little with robusta.
ROBUSTA
samuellaw178 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:29I am not sure if I've tasted robusta before. In instant coffee yes, but not as whole beans. The Robustas have such a bad name that probably no sane roasters would sell them exclusively. Maybe,there are some robusta that actually taste decent?*I hope*
JUST THE FACT THAT IT HAS
hoonchul | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 21:32Just the fact that it has higher caffeine content would make me steer away from robusta coffee as I'm very sensitive to caffeine and do not need more of it. Besides that the description sounds great.
@GABRIELA
intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 21:07Well its interesting because I have seen robusta get a lot of bad flack, and Paradise Roasters has been really good with their products so I am assuming that this one must be good too!
NOT YET
Gabriela Cordon | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 19:43I have not tasted a full 100% robusta coffee on espresso yet. I have cupped some great robustas and from India (fully washed, semi washed and naturals). They do offer a very distinctive profile despite the bitterness. I will never forget one that had pepper hints. It will all depend on the quality of the robusta, but I find interesting that you are willing to try it and let us know what you think.
@CHAMIE
intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 17:51You are right there are some bad arabica's out there, but I guess I am so use to robusta being a four letter word that I am a little skeptical.
@JBVIAU
intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 17:50Well I think I read in the history of coffee by Mark Pendergast, that people get a taste for it, so perrhaps it will be the new dru... err coffee of choice with it's high caffeine content!
@YEAHYEAH
intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 17:49I am still on the fence about trying this but you may have given me the push that I needed to make the order!
GOOD QUALITY ROBUSTAS
Chamie | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 17:08There are good quality robustas out there, just as there are really bad Arabicas. I haven't tried this one specifically, but I have tried a Sumatran robusta that's smooth and silky and quite decent, even on its own. I'd give it a try.
OH!
jbviau | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 17:00Well that's interesting. I'll be eager to hear what you all think of this one. Milk isn't *obligatory*, right?
INDIAN
yeahyeah | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 16:09I might be willing to give this or Josuma's beans a shot. Oh what the heck, I decided to place an order for Paradise's Sitara while writing this.