06 May 2006 07:37 pm - I'll be roasting the PNG beans Sunday Afternoon. I'm looking forward to comparing them to the El Salvador beans from the other week.

Speaking of the El Salvador beans, I saved enough beans for a cup of coffee tonight. These beans were roasted 2 weeks ago. Most of the roasting articles I have read consider any beans roasted over 7 days to be stale.

I honestly did not notice any difference in freshness. The aroma was still very nice. Once my water came to a boil, I quickly ground the beans and put the grounds in my french press. Pouring the water in still produced the caramel colored foam (I think of it as coffee bloom, perhaps it is crema although I thought that was only an espresso term.)

So, even after 14 days, I think my home roasted beans produced an excellent cup of coffee.

07 May 2006 02:50 pm - I roasted the beans to somewhere between a City to a Full City roast. They smell really, really good. I'd give more of a description, but my cold is still bothering me. Smells like coffee though !! Laughing I'm going to give these guys 24 hours to stabilize and make a cup Monday night.

Woo Hoo I can't wait !!

10 May 2006 06:58 am - I've been drinking this coffee for the past two days. Unfortunately, I've had blocked up sinuses so I think my taste is off. So far, I have noticed a stronger bitter flavor straight away after brewing. This flavor seems to mellow out as the cup cools. It's not a bad cup of coffee, but hopefully I'll be free from this cold or whatever it is I have soon and I will be able to taste this coffee clearly.

If I decide to order more of these beans I think I will try a lighter roast as well. I may have gone a bit too dark this time around.

-These coffee ramblings were provided by Tom in Florida, who is known as the "Cigar Smoking Man" on the Coffee Forum.