Brazilian - Toby's Estate
Welcome to the Espresso Idiot's review of Toby's Estates offering, Brazilian. This espresso is described as "A mild Sweet coffee character lightly acidic, medium body and nutty aroma". Toby's Estate operates three stores in Sydney. The Idiot visted the Chippendale Store and purchased this espresso blend from that store. Apart from at Toby's Estate stores, and online, Toby's coffee is available from the gourmet food stores in and around Sydney (particularly the organic coffee range). A 250 gm bag cost the Idiot AU$12.00, however you should be aware before visiting Toby's that if you are intending to buy coffee, you can sample before you buy...for free! A shot is worth $2.00 so it is a great way to save some money and make sure that you are getting the kind of coffee that you want. A great innovation, and the price of this coffee places it in the middle of the range.
"I like everything about Toby's Estate. In particular I like this Brazilian blend. Very mellow tasting, with an interesting aroma. Very tasty stuff, this one will be added to the Idiot's regular repetoire" .
Espresso Idiot, 12 October 2006.
Summary Information
Overall Score: A gourmet espresso blend. Mellow, well balanced, an interesting aroma, and a versitle espresso. 8 out of 10.
Packaging: Plastic air and light tight bags complete with valve allowing bean gas to escape, but keeping air out. No need to see product in bag, you can see it in store, and taste it. Excellent Information on product, if somewhat generic but for the sticker that relates to the bean type that you choose. 8 out of 10.
Bean Type: 100% arabica. Blended imported beans, however there is not a great deal of information available about the blend from the packet. You can, however, get a good look and feel for the beans when choosing your coffee. 8 out of 10.
Crema: Thick, even on the shot, rich caramel clouring. 8 out of 10.
Aroma: A nutty aroma, delightful on the nose. 8 out of 10.
Taste: Excellent medium bodied coffee, a welcome hint of acidity. 8 out of 10.
Web Site: Toby's estate
Contact Details: Ph: +61-2-9211-1459
Review
Toby's Estate is fast becoming a legend in the Sydney Espresso scene. Three stores are operated by Toby's Estate, and this offering will further enhance the reputation of Toby's Estate on the Sydney espresso scene. The Brazilian espresso uses 100% arabica beans, and we are told this is "a mild sweet coffee character lightly acidic, medium body and nutty aroma". Again, the description of the coffee is right on the money. The price is also reasonable, considering the high quality of the product on offer.
The packaging of the product is done well. The black and white motif of the bags obviously reflects the coffee and milk theme of espresso. The stylised bean that is the main image associated with Toby's Estate looks great on the package, and makes the product stand out well. Once you have ordered your beans, it is pacakaged in the standard gourmet packaging that keeps out the light and air, while allowing the beans to emit gases through a valve. A sticker is applied to each bag that details the information about the particular beans that you have purchased. The level of information varies, however as there are staff on hand to assist that are expert in the field, you can pretty much find out whatever you care to know about the coffee (within reason!).
This Brazilian Espresso has a wonderfully thick caramel coloured crema on the espresso shot. The crema lasts well on top of the shot, and blends well with the taste of the shot itself. The crema mixes well with any milk that might be added to the shot. The crema enhances the shot overall, both visually and in terms of taste by mixing well on the palate when consumed. This is a medium bodied smooth espresso, and the crema taste enhances the smooth effect of the coffee on the palate, rolling over the tongue like sunshine over a field of clover!
The armoa of this espresso blend is nutty as claimed.. This is an interesting feature of the coffee and makes it well worth a taste test at the very least. If you are looking for a smooth medium bodied espresso with a twist, then this is it. The aroma is not overly strong, it is in fact a little understated which matches the medium bodied nature of the espresso well. It is worth taking the time to seek the aroma out.
The Brazilian espresso shot is very smooth, rolling over the tongue and coming on to the palate, as opposed to immediately anouncing it's arrival in a burst of taste sensation. There are subtle flavours here, and the palate is not swamped at any stage of the tasting process. There is a hint of acidy that I would describe as natural and desirable when the espresso is first taken into the mouth. The medium bodied nature of the shot accounts for the subtle flavours that then make an impression on the palate. Nicely mild and sweet at times. The aftertaste is smooth and enhances the experience of this coffee. The addition of milk to the shot in any form does not overwhelm the espresso taste, however in the milkier versions you may want to increase the amount of espresso you use for this variety - depending on your own tastes.
The Espresso Idiot's overall view of Toby's Estate Brazilian is that it is a welcome addition to the range of good coffees at the medium body level. This is a great evening or afternoon coffee, if you're anything like the Idiot you may need something with a bit more kick to get you off the mark in the morning! But this little number certainly has its place in the espresso afficionado's arsenal. This espresso is value for money, being placed in the mid range in terms of price. Toby's Estate is a complete experience in that you can purchase a number of incidental coffee items at the store such as machines, grinders, tampers and the like. Well worth the try, variety is the spice of life as they say!