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We spend a lot of time in origin countries searching for the finest coffees – ones with distinct flavors that enchant, amaze and captivate. But of the thousands we encounter, only a precious few are deemed exceptional enough to become Starbucks Reserve™ coffees. These intriguing offerings are only available for limited times at select stores.
So, what’s with the name Blue Java? Well, blue refers to the color of the raw coffee beans before we roast them up. Most unroasted coffee beans have a greenish hue, but what is unusual about these raw beans is that they show distinctive deep blue-green color. In the cup, the coffee has herbaceous notes of sage and fresh earth and a sweet and syrupy mouthfeel.
I’ve worked for Starbucks for more than 10 years, and Ethiopia Harrar™ coffee has long been a favorite of mine. Its unique characteristics never cease to amaze me. As soon as I received our special, new package of Sun-Dried Ethiopia Harrar™ coffee, I couldn’t wait to share it!
So I asked Candace, a 5-year Starbucks veteran, to do a tasting with me. When we opened the bag, the smell of dried berries and spicy notes filled the air. As soon as the juicy complexity hit my tongue, I was reminded of how unique this coffee can be.
A new coffee is arriving for Starbucks Reserve and we are delighted to share it with you. Ka’u coffee takes its name from the Ka’u district on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Ka’u region is located on the slopes of the volcano Mauna Loa. The area was traditionally used for growing sugar cane, but after the exodus of sugar plantations the soil was well-suited to grow coffee. With over 2,000 acres of prime land in the district of Ka’u there are approximately 280 acres planted and worked by about 40 farmers. Here Ka’u coffee is quietly transforming this small region into a world-class coffee source that’s gaining attention.
