When you see a sign that says HALF OFF, what is the first thing that clicks in your mind? I’m usually a little skeptical at first, because I’m just that way, so I always ask myself, “Why would this be half off?” A really funny guy I used to know 30 years ago who sold men’s Giorgio Armani suits once told me, “Look there’s 3 basic rules you need to follow in life:
First, where ever you are in the world, when you are in a bar, you never drink beer unless it’s directly out of the bottle.
Second, never go to a doctor who gives discounts on surgery.
Third, if the garbage dumpster behind the supermarket you shop at smells like rotten food all the time, don’t buy anything on sale from that place, ever, because you can get it out back for free.” He was a value guy. I like a value, so when I see it, I try to validate it really a value, then execute a plan to take advantage.
Gevalia Coffee was a pioneer 35 years ago when they started their coffee subscription model and sold premium coffee direct. Their coffee has always been pretty consistent in quality but in the last decade they’ve been competing with the Starbucks coffee monster and all the local super premium roasters. They have a Special Reserve coffee brand that I’ve never tried, and today I found it on sale for 50% off in my local supermarket so I thought I’d give it a try
The coffee review for January 22, 2021 is Gevalia Kaffe Special Reserve Costa Rica
Coffee Maker
Bodum Chambord French Press
Coffee Water Temperature
201 Degrees Fahrenheit / 94 Degree Celsius
I used our AICOK Stainless Steel Kettle to boil the water in under a minute
Coffee Filter
None
Coffee Roast
Gevalia Reserve Costa Rica Coffee is a medium- dark roast coffee sourced from 100% Arabica single origin coffee beans from Costa Rica, Latin America. The coffee roast is perfectly suited for those who like a medium roast coffee. Gevalia recommends the best results are using a French Press for this coffee, but it’s perfectly okay to brew a pot using a drip coffee maker.
Coffee Aroma
The coffee aroma is slightly heavy with hints of dark chocolate. The Gevalia website says this has more of a toffee aroma, but I’m not getting any toffee on the nose. There is also a faint hint of some sweetness as well.
Coffee Body
The coffee is medium bodied with a nice richness and solid overall finish. I love the richness of the body but it’s medium body so it’s nothing over the top. I can detect a slight hint of a floral flavor for a minute when I first taste it, then it gets a tiny bit smoky. Gevalia says this is on the market side of a medium roast but personally I think it’s a perfect medium roast
Coffee Sweetness
The coffee sweetness is nonexistent. There’s no chocolate taste in this coffee.
Coffee Acidity
The coffee acidity is medium similar to what you would expect from a medium roast coffee. I especially enjoy the fact the acidity isn’t big as it doesn’t make me salivate 30 seconds after I swallow.
Coffee Mouthfeel
The coffee mouthfeel is silky and smooth. I can detect a slight hint of some kind of floral component in the the nose tricked me into thinking this was a bolder coffee, but it is more medium roast on the mouth . As the coffee cools a bit the rich coffee flavor faded and the finish was a little less pronounced.
Coffee Finish
The coffee finish is clean and balanced, no sour flavors. It’s got a nice finish for a coffee of this price.
Summary
Gevalia Coffee, has been known for it’s consistency and quality for many years. I’m a big fan of Costa Rican coffee and this one from Gevalia for the money is definitely worth a try. Honestly, when I saw the price I was thinking this coffee might not hold up to others I’ve had in the past but that’s not the case here. It’s an incredible value, and if you save enough drinking it, you might just be about to be walking around the town in the latest Armani fashion. Happy Friday!
