Kenya Thika Karatu Peaberry

Karatu made a strong start in the dry fragrance, with notes of red tropical punch (think Hawaiian Punch!), spice, cranberry, and orange as well. After pouring hot water, a scent of red berries was raised in the steam, along with notes of mulled grape juice, and boysenberry. The cup at City roast level had complex, bright flavors, like ripe blood orange, raspberry lemonade, cranberry tea and a zesty citrus peel note that adds a grabby aspect. The cup aroma showed sweet baking spice notes of clove, and mace that offered a nice interplay with the rest in the aftertaste. As is typically the case, the coffee cooled to reveal another side to the fruited flavors, like mulled juices, and a brisk note of berry iced tea that added to the overall acidic impression. I tend to enjoy some of the darker fruit flavors that Kenyas often produce at deeper roast levels, but my Full City roast of Karatu left me longing for the bright citrus and aromatic cup of my City roast. It still had a very nice grape note, but was a little too bittersweet for my taste. Ultimately, I don't recommend venturing beyond Full City, and will personally be sticking to City-City+ roasts (for me that falls somewhere between 12 to 15 F beyond the start of 1st Crack).