If you’re ever in Seattle, come join in a free coffee education seminar at Starbucks. There are two Starbucks locations in Seattle that regularly hold coffee events.
EAST OLIVE WAY STARBUCKS
The first is the East Olive Way Starbucks, at 1600 East Olive Way, Seattle, WA, 98102, (206) 568 – 5185. East Olive Way holds their coffee seminars every other Monday night, at 6:00 p.m. You should definitely call ahead to make sure that there will be a seminar. They sometimes vary their schedule a little depending on when coffees are released and for a few other reasons.
On Monday, March 24, 2014, I went to a coffee seminar for the newest Reserve coffee: 100% Kona. We tried this coffee both from the French press and from the Clover brewer. Congrats to Marlene and Jordan for doing a great job on this event! We thought that the Clover brought out a little more nuttiness to the coffee. I got a little more floral aroma when it was brewed by the Clover. We tried this coffee with dried fruits: dried mangoes, pears, and plums. The pairing with the dried mangoes was excellent. The brightness of the mangoes complemented the coffee! Try Kona with tropical fruits!
By the way, you can see that Marlene and Jordan had a blast! They wore leis and brought a few extra for the participants.
There were about seven people who came to the Kona coffee tasting.
From the French press, I thought that it had a heavier mouthfeel, and a little more berry and floral notes. Again, the mangoes were the best pairing with the Kona coffee. The other two dried fruits were fun but didn’t quite bring out the high note dimensions of Kona.
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE 3 STARBUCKS
The second Starbucks store with regular coffee events is the new University Village Starbucks, located in Seattle’s University Village shopping center. Again, give them a call to confirm their coffee tasting schedule. The phone number is (206) 523 – 1718. You’ll generally find coffee seminars on Tuesday nights at 6:00 p.m. They do between two or three coffee events a month.
On March 25, 2014, we tried the new Colombia Narino Supremo coffee, which will be available in Starbucks stores beginning on April 1, 2014. We tried it from a French press, and had the fun experience of trying it as a solo espresso shot. It is delicious. I’d love to have it for a doppio con panna. Steph, the partner who held this coffee seminar, got a great conversation going about trying different Starbucks coffees as shots of espresso. As you may recall, Starbucks is testing the Colombia coffee as an espresso option in several different regions of the U.S. Steph mentioned that she’s tried Veranda as a shot of espresso and liked it. I’ve heard it said before that Veranda makes a fine espresso.
When trying the Colombia Narino Supremo from a French press, we paired with salted almonds and banana bread. I enjoyed the almond pairing a lot. I thought the salt actually made the coffee taste a little spicier.
If you like reading about coffee tastings, I hope you’ll browse through the category of them here. There are many more to read about!
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I never knew about these tastings!! I shall attend as many as I can!!! Ive become quite the coffee geek lately and I think this will help to fuel my new passion.
My first go with the Kona Parry Estate was very disappointing. There were 4 of us, and 2 were partners. We all agreed that it was flat and flavorless. Other partners that pre-sampled thought it was very good when asked, but admitted they had never had Kona in their lives. So how could they compare it to other Kona? I just don’t know.
I always like to give everything a second chance, so I tried another Kona yesterday. it was a little bit better IMHO, but I don’t see me purchasing any more of it. I just don’t think it has any bang for it’s money. I was never a big fan of Kona in my life, but I have had other Kona that I thought had very distinctive flavors, unlike any Kona I have had at Starbucks. It’s just my opinion. Maybe it does go well when paired, but I feel that the Kona Parry Estate is nothing without the help of anything paired with it. For somebody walking into Starbucks, and taking a Kona to go – just the coffee, I think it’s not worth it. I feel it’s going to take a lot to compliment this Kona, but shouldn’t the coffee and pairings work together? There is no effort coming from the Kona’s end. I think one would be better off alone with dried fruits, dried mangoes, pears, and plums alone. Forget the Kona. I hope everybody else has better luck with it. Perhaps Kona just isn’t for me.
@Chgo: They were out of it (KONA) at our Mt P NW hwy store last week so haven’t tried it this yr. However, I always expect it to be really good and I’m always disappointed. Just not good enough. So, I agree with you. I do think almost any of the coffees made with the Clover are better but often (often) really not worth the difference in $$$.
I’ve had lots of Yergacheffe this yr, Clover and a home, and while I still love it the best, I founf this years not up to par…or not quite as smoothe as years past. Still a favorite tho!
(ps: winter/spring/winter/spring bla bla bla….. 😉
Do you ever get those bags of Starbucks coffee from the grocery store that you can exchange at Starbucks for a free tall brewed coffee? Did you know those are good for any tall coffee, even the Reserve coffees? Kona is expensive, but that is a great way to try it and not feel you overpaid for it.
And remember, Kona (Ka’u, etc) may be the only coffee picked at US labor rates. Everything else is picked at much lower wage rates.
I’m not a huge fan of Kona either, BUT, while working at a remote fishing lodge in Alaska last summer, a group of influential Hawaiian men came to stay with us and brought macadamias and Kona, grown on an estate once belonging to King Kamehameha… can you guess which I picked? Both! The coffee I brewed in my Chemex and it was amazing.
I’ve had good Kona, but not at Starbucks. @Denise – They still have plenty of Kona @ PR and they still keep getting more Yirgacheffe. I never had Yirgacheffe in the past, but like last years Sun Dried Rasuna, I think it’s the best cup of coffee I ever had. Even if you say it’s not its best Denise, I trust your judgment. That being said, I prefer a mediocre Yirgacheffe over any Starbucks Kona. My wife and daughter love it too.
@Chgo: yeah, KONA has just never been up to par to me.
May I please ask if I can call my local Starbucks to see if they conduct coffee tastings? If a partner conducts a coffee tasting, would it help them towards any recognation, such as Master barista? If this is true, then it may be a mutuall beneficial for customers and partners. Any advice you can give is much appreciated.
I tried the Kona with dried pineapple, it was so nice! I much preferred it paired than by itself!