here we go.. it's moka joe's coffee!

Hoping for ‘beginner’s luck,’ here I sit writing my first review for NorthWest Coffee Guide. It took me a while to figure out who would be my first subject.. or victim, I guess, depending on how this review turns out! All kidding aside, I was not real familiar with Moka Joe’s coffees until Gigi’s Café opened its doors across the parking lot from my office - where I have a real job. Thus began my love affair with Moka Joe.

On a recent trip to the grocery store, I was looking for another brand of coffee for a gift to give to my mother-in-law (also a coffee lover herself). The ‘other brand,’ also quite good, was not sold there. As I continued to peruse the coffee aisle, the flashy cobalt blue bag caught my eye! The ‘other brand’ may not be there but Moka Joe is! Hooray! So as I grabbed a bag of grounded for her, I thought, “I want some too!” and Timor! it is.

Of course I took it home and couldn’t wait to open the bag. The excitement of a new blend was just too much to ignore! And sure enough - there was no disappointment. The smell - so rich, earthy, a little nutty and slightly smokey. I could hardly keep from holding my mug under the coffee machine - impatiently waiting for it to brew. I was a little concerned that it would be a lighter coffee than what I prefer, but don’t be mistaken by the color of the grounds. They are a little lighter, and very ruddy in color, but this coffee tastes almost the same as the smell when you open the bag.. no bad surprises! It’s a very robust, earthy, slightly nutty tasting coffee - almost fruity sweet. There is no sharp, burnt flavor, and the aftertaste is pleasant. I was so pleased by this coffee, being rich and smooth and warm and perfect for the rainy Northwest day that was among us.

Just how did I make mine, you ask? I used our Bunn ThermoFresh coffee maker (It’s very important to have a coffee maker that brews HOT! in order to get the fullness of the flavor of coffee you are making). I measured 1 rounded (not heaping) teaspoon of coffee per cup, and then added one extra teaspoon for ‘good measure.’ You definitely get your money’s worth from this coffee - no over-measuring is needed. I like my coffee very strong, so I definitely wasn’t disappointed. For those of you who don’t care to cut your coffee with a knife, I suggest you be very modest in your measuring.

So back to the name of this Moka Joe blend.. just what IS Timor! Come to find out, it’s an island at the south end of the Malay Archipelago, divided between the independent state of East Timor, and West Timor, part of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. According to local mythology (thank you, wikipedia), the island of Timor was a giant crocodile… which really is appropriate, because if you try to grab my cup of Timor! I might just bite your head off.

Note: you can find a link to Moka Joe on my NorthWest Coffee Guide website: http://www.nwcoffeeguide.com/ They are listed under the "Roasters" section for Washington.