Crimson Cup’s Wayfarer Blend Takes Second-Place Prize at America’s Best Espresso Eastern Championship
Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) March 16, 2016 -- Wayfarer Blend from Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea arose from a field of 24 coffees to a runner-up finish in the America's Best Espresso Eastern Championship at Coffee Fest New York. After winning its first four rounds of competition, Wayfarer Blend was edged out by an entry from Red Rooster Coffee Roasters in the championship round.
“We’re proud of Wayfarer Blend and the team who sourced, roasted and presented this craft coffee,” said Founder and President Greg Ubert. “Their hard work is helping Crimson Cup take our place among the country’s elite coffee roasters.” He noted that the company was named 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year by Roast magazine.
In each round of the America’s Best Espresso competition, Coffee Sourcing and Education Manager Brandon Bir pulled shots of Wayfarer Blend for evaluation by a panel of three judges for flavor complexity/balance, mouthfeel and appeal/body, and aftertaste/session. In head-to-head competition, Wayfarer Blend beat entries from Irving Farm Coffee Roasters, Quills Coffee, Ithaca Coffee Company and S&D Coffee and Tea.
“All the competitors did an amazing job, and all of the espresso that was served to the judges would be considered excellent at any shop,” Bir said. “I feel very fortunate to have shared our coffee with so many wonderful coffee professionals.
“The feedback we received from the judges can only help us increase the quality of the cup,” he added. “Ultimately this will allow us to offer the best espresso possible.”
Wayfarer, which means traveler, is blended from a rotating selection of current-crop coffees. The blend currently has Heirloom and Bourbon varietals cultivated at elevations of 1,700 to 2,000 meters. Lightly roasted, Wayfarer Blend melds the syrupy, rich and smooth notes of tree nuts and chocolate with bright accents of exotic fruits.
Wayfarer Blend recently received an outstanding 92 rating from Kenneth Davids and the Coffee Review. Reviewers described the handcrafted coffee as, “… a quietly comprehensive cup, with crisp nut and cacao notes and a softening bloom of sweet flowers.”
Coffee Review’s blind assessment was, “Rich, round, brisk. Hazelnut, roasted cacao nib, lemon grass, sweet honeysuckle in aroma and cup. Gently and softly tart acidity; smooth, satiny mouthfeel. Hazelnut and cacao carry into a gently dry, resonant finish.” The complete September 2015 review is available on the Coffee Review website.
America's Best Espresso Eastern Championship competition took place March 11 to 13 at Coffee Fest New York, a coffee industry trade show held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 W. 34th Street.
This is Crimson Cup's third appearance in the America's Best Espresso championship. In 2013, the roaster's signature Armando's Blend advanced to the second round of competition.
About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is Roast magazine’s 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Since 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced specialty and craft coffee in small batches. The company also teaches entrepreneurs to run successful coffee houses through its coffee franchise alternative program, which includes a coffee shop business plan. Crimson Cup coffee is available through a community of more than 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 29 states, Guam and Bangladesh, as well as the company’s own Crimson Cup Coffee Houses. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.
Cheryl Claypoole, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, http://www.crimsoncup.com, +1 6143615023, [email protected]
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