Update: We will be pulling the Chinati Espresso starting on Thursday February 4th. We only have 40lbs so it will not last long. This espresso blend will only be served as straight espresso's or macchiato's (possibly cappuccino's as well but no latte's).

Up next for a Guest Espresso is the Brown Coffee Co.'s Chinati Espresso Blend. This was Aaron Blanco's (owner of Brown and great personal friend) blend used at the  recent South Central Regional Barista Competition in Austin, TX. Aaron finally got some street cred. by placing second in this competition. Though he didn't place first, we figured it was good enough merit to feature at the cafe and give you an opportunity to experience a blend approached specifically for competition. 

In Aaron's words:

Espresso Five: Chinati. 2 coffees roasted over a three day period, using four distinct roast profiles to broaden the spectrum of sweetness and versatility these amazing coffees have to offer. Received with acclaim at Aaron's recent SCRBC performance, this limited edition espresso requires careful roasting and settling before it begins to show its best.

The espresso is 60% - 40% blend, with the 60% coming from the Kirimara Estate in the Nyeri Region of Central Kenya, while the 40% comes from the Amaro Gayo Mill in Sidama, Ethiopia (same Amaro Gayo we carry at Catalina from the only female mill owner in Ethiopia - Asnakech Thomas).

It's a truism that complexity in coffee comes from elevation. The higher the elevation, the more beautifully sophisticated the coffee can be. Because these coffees are grown at such high elevations (the Kenya at 6000ft.; the Ethiopia at 5200ft.) it does us no favors to limit these extraordinary coffees to only one roast profile per coffee. So they were each roasted two different ways to expand the range of charm and versatility they could express in the cup.

The result is an explosion of fruit-forward sweetness (think dried, candied strawberries, ruby red grapefruit and rhubarb) with a lower toned balance of dried tobacco and black currant that does well as both a straight shot or in small drinks.

The name Chinati is a reference to the proud West Texas Peak that bears its name and of the ethereal mountain range that is said to be the origin of the famed "Marfa Lights".

Enjoy.