Verve – Helsar de Zarcero
By: Chase
Coffee: Helsar de Zarcero
Company: Verve
Brewing Method: French Press
Origin: West Valley, Costa Rica
Description: “Complex, round body, honey, sweet.”
Of the batch we tried I would say this was my favorite. It is worth mentioning that it is 100% Caturra. What does that mean? Good question... Apparently that means
"Caturra - Caturra is a mutation of Coffee Bourbon discovered in Brazil. It is a mutation with high production and good quality, but requires extensive care and fertilization. It is short with a thick core and has many secondary branches. It has large leaves with wavy borders similar to Coffee Bourbon. It adapts well to almost any environment, but does best between 1,500-5,500 feet with annual precipitation between 2,500-3,500 mm. At higher altitudes quality increases, but production decreases." (source)
There you go. Anyways back to the coffee review! Again, Verve seems to be a lot more mellow. At this point I was somewhat unimpressed, until I decided to have coffee the way I enjoy it. I added a bit of cream and sugar. Viola! This coffee merged fantastically with cream and sugar. Go figure - the coffee doesn't have any overpowering qualities but added with cream and sugar it just tastes right. I realize we tend to become somewhat elitist when it comes to adding anything to coffee - and at times, it doesn't work with some really good coffee's - but the majority of us out there enjoy a little something more in our coffee. This is the perfect cup to add a bit more. On its own, it isn't bad, but with some cream and sugar i was more very happy.