Crane Valley



 

Every year during the summer I have always enjoyed going to the farmers market and seeing what local goods are available to buy. To me there is nothing better than enjoying a cup of coffee and purchasing fresh ingredients. Thankfully on a recent trip to one of these I discovered one of the newer coffee roasters in Albuquerque who sells small batch, sustainably sourced coffee from all around the world. Of course, I am talking about Crane Valley Coffee Roasters. Several sample bags later I dusted off my French press and couldn’t wait to taste what I had acquired. All delicious, here are some of my tasting notes of what I tried.

Ethiopia Guji: I have always loved coffee from Africa because the beans always come with such a unique flavor, and this was no exception. At first pour the coffee had a strong citrus aroma that would make you think it was going to be a light cup of coffee. However, after one sip it was not light at all and had a good body to it. The citrus from the aroma carried through to the flavor along with a subtle floral flavor. The best way I could describe this coffee was very bright, and with a very slight lingering finish it made for an easy drinking cup of coffee. Very well balanced in terms of flavor, it is one I would have again.

Costa Rica Anaerobic: My experience with Latin American coffees is that they are all usually very light, and that was exactly the case with this coffee. But just because it was very light does not mean it wasn’t full of flavor. The aroma had a spice not to it with undertones of fruit that mirrored the flavor perfectly. This coffee had a decent acidity to it but was balanced out by a subtle sweetness creating a pleasant sip. The aftertaste was very clean making me want more. This would be a perfect cup for people not wanting something rich and heavy.

Colombia Pink Bourbon: The most popular coffee offered by Crane Valley and for good reason. Named after the color of the cherry which is a hybrid of the red and yellow this coffee was delicious. Again, it was very light on the tongue with strong fruit flavor. Cherry and citrus were the main two flavor profiles I got, but it was also slightly nutty. The result was a very well-balanced cup of coffee that finished very clean. This was a flavor profile I never would have expected, but one that I really enjoyed. This is a bag I would seek out and purchase again if I saw it.

Guatemala Huehuetenango: The last of the Latin American coffees that I tasted again had a unique flavor profile that was nothing like the previous ones I tasted. I was expecting a more acidic, light coffee and while that was part of the flavor profile there was much more to it. This was the most bitter coffee I sampled, but not in a bad way. The bitterness made the coffee feel more bodied and muted some of the strong fruit flavors. This also had the strongest aftertaste. Very unique for a Latin American coffee, and one I would have again.

Rwanda Honey: This was personally the coffee I was most looking forward to trying, and ultimately turned out to be my favorite. This was a rich cup of coffee that was full bodied and very full-on flavor. It had the citrus notes I was expecting but was also naturally sweet with an almost caramel flavor. It also had a dryness to it that I was not expecting, but really enjoyed. The aftertaste did linger a little bit, but again I enjoyed that. This is a coffee I would highly recommend.

As I have previously stated New Mexico is a state that truly enjoys their coffee and Crane Valley Roasters is a true hidden gem. While currently only available at farmer’s markets or online they are worth seeking out. Each coffee is truly unique, and fresh roasted making for a great experience. I will continue to seek him out and can’t wait to try his other offerings. His love for coffee shows in talking to him, and in the coffee you drink. This is another reason to always look around at farmer’s markets, you never know what great things you will come across.

To see photos of my adventures, follow my Instagram @the_nm_tx or tag me using #thenmtx
To support my adventures check out www.patreon.com/thenmtx

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tap N Taco

Image
  When I first made the decision to move down here there were several things I was excited about. But near the top of the list was food, and to be more specific the great Mexican food. So how lucky was I to discover a place in Rio Rancho that not only serves great tacos, but also quesadillas, and has a great bar on the inside serving specialty cocktails, and craft beer? The answer is very lucky, and with a great variety to choose from at very affordable prices one of the great taco places I’ve tried is Tap N Taco. Located on Highway 528 in an old fast-food restaurant this place is worth seeking out. There is ample seating on the inside, as well as a beautiful outdoor patio with picnic tables for those beautiful New Mexico days. All the food is prepared right in front of you as you order, and the prices are all the same. $2.00 tacos, $6.00 quesadillas, and $7.00 baked potatoes/French fries. There are also five different proteins to choose from including al pastor, barbacoa, carne ...
Read more

Steel Bender Brewyard

Image
  New Mexico is a state that like many others loves their craft beer, and the variety of places to go continues to grow. Not only do a lot of these breweries produce a variety of high-quality beers, but also high-quality foods. One of the first places I discovered in Albuquerque was actually in Los Ranchos where if you blink you will drive right by it. But keep an eye out because it is totally worth the visit for a bite or pint. Of course, the I am talking about Steel Bender Brewyard, a brewery that embodies a strong sense of the community around them. When you first drive up you find yourself in disbelief of how large this building is. With the massive branded silo that lets you know you found the right place. The inside is just as big with its large bar, and ample seating, but the place to sit is on its patio. With small tables for intimate groups, or large picnic tables for big groups the patio is far enough back that the traffic isn’t a bother, and guests can relax with a pin...
Read more

New Food Trucks

Image
  The past few weeks have been a great time to be a food lover in and around Albuquerque. We have been lucky enough to have 2 great new food trucks open, and both are unique with what they are offering. Even more lucky for me is that I have been able to try both and was very impressed by both. Love at First Slice: If there is one food I have been missing since I moved down here it is a good pizza. While I have had some good ones, there is always room for another good one. Thankfully Love at First Slice makes a great pizza, that is also wood fired. While the menu is extensive, and in addition to pizza they also offer wood-fired sandwiches, I opted for pizza. I went simple, but also ordered one of my favorites and ordered the Margherita. It was a delicious pizza that had so many great flavors going on. The crust was slightly charred, the cheese melted perfectly, and the tomatoes and basil added a great bite of freshness. I was very happy with my order and can’t wait to explore mor...
Read more