May 13, 2014 Luxury Coffee News: Connoisseur Alan Greene Judges Cup of Luxury LUXURY COFFEE NEWS: Connoisseur Al Green Seattle, 2012 -- Pike Place Market. Bryan-David Scott I recently had the pleasure of savoring the finest coffee I ever experienced. I have been an enthusiast of superior coffees for decades. I believe my interest in fine coffee blossomed to a passion one rainy day at The Café Central in Vienna (Opened in 1876 and still at the same location at Herrengasse 14, if you find yourself in the neighborhood and care to pass a rainy afternoon). Cup of Luxury ‘Simply Decadent’, brings to mind that rainy afternoon. When the package of Cup of Luxury coffees arrived, luckily, I was free of obligations for the rest of the day. The first impression when one opens one of those beautiful red bags is the aroma. The aroma of quality freshly roasted beans is unmistakable. The aroma from the bag of ‘Simply Decadent’ filled my kitchen. The aroma was that of Café Central. It is my custom to examine the beans before grinding. There are a plethora of common flaws in roasted beans. Quakers, the name given to unripe beans with a wrinkled surface, can generally be found in small numbers in most all, even high quality, coffees (and worth looking for and removing, as they add a bitter hint) were TOTALLY ABSENT in the Simply Decadent, as well as all of the other Cup of Luxury coffees I received. There were also no ‘withered ‘ beans, (typically a result of drought or poor husbandry), and no pits or pieces (beans crushed during processing). Simply stated, the beans were all perfect! I do not believe I have ever found zero flaws in any of the coffees I have examined. Grinding for my French Press, released more delicious aroma. The first sip was again reminiscent Café Central. The Simply Decadent is rich and dark, almost smoky, awakening the palate like a fine aged dry red wine. I went on to open and sample the Découverte, and the Black Label. Simply Decadent and Découverte are totally worthy of the five star 100 point rating they are given. The last bag I opened was Black Label. I found it to be equally as impressive , with a unique robust quality. Cup of Luxury rates Black Label at 95, I believe my rating would be 99. All in all, my afternoon opening and brewing these coffees was like that afternoon in Vienna, without the waiting in line at the security check point followed by an all night flight. The Viennese Coffee house has been described as a place where an experience is consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill. Cup of Luxury could be described in the same words. In Vienna, the ‘go cup’ is still a vague anathema. I recommend adopting that attitude. Cup of Luxury is to be savored, not rushed. Thank you Bryan-David, for making this coffee experience available to us! Keep up the great work! Al Greene, Coffee connoisseur Arizona, U.S.A Cup of Luxury ... the ultimate coffee experience
