What is Peaberries?
Deemed as one of the most expensive coffees, peaberry is an interesting coffee bean that one should try at least once in a lifetime. Peaberries are considered a defect and only occur about 1 to 10% of the harvest. Despite that fact, peaberries still attract the attention of coffee lovers for various reasons. In Indonesia itself, this type of coffee is called "Kopi lanang" (Literally translated as "Male Coffee" from javanese language ) as the urban myth mentioned it could increase vitality in male. Almost all peaberry products out there are from robusta beans which makes sense considering the urban myth circulating around.
This is my first time trying a full robusta peaberry which is grown in the mountainous region of malang east java. I've seen this product on the shelves but only a few days ago I got it and today I got the time to make it.
Yesterday was my second day living without any form of caffeine, which as a caffeine addict, was a nightmare. It was very difficult to go through the days and I recalled, I was barely alive (in a sense that I forgot what I did). I even forgot why I didn't have caffeine for that long. Long story short, this morning when I had that first sip, it was like all the flowers bloomed and my day would return to normal.
I prepared this coffee using my favorite method, pour over with a v60. To me using that brew style enhances the profile of the coffee that includes the aroma and especially the taste of it.
When I first glanced at the powder, it looked like medium roasted and also fine grind. This is actually better for pour over, moka pot or percolator, even aeropress. I proceeded to brew the coffee with v60 method and in the end, I got the most clear cup with a complex flavor and aroma.
The first aroma that I noticed is nut-like, a mixture of walnut and roasted peanut. The first sip tastes quite delicate with an aftertaste of peanut butter. It has hints of mocha, earthy notes to it. Anything within chocolate, nutty,caramel in flavor wheels come as layers in this coffee. Also, according to Home Barista by Ruby Ashby and Simone Egger, adding milk into the coffee can subdue the aroma and the flavors of it. So, what I normally do is that after tasting it, I make another batch to add with milk and store it to drink for later.
PS: If you don't have that book, you should get it. The book is pretty handy even for a casual coffee drinker. You can also read my review too The Home Barista: How to Bring Out the Best in Every Coffee Review & Trying It Out
If you want to also enjoy the highest quality of Peaberry, there's kona peaberry from hawaii and also tanzania. Surprisingly, Indonesian peaberries didn't make the list. Perhaps because it's not as popular as the others. Even the packaging that I got didn't include the roasting note and other necessary information. The packaging also wasn't like the standardized coffee packaging with aroma locks that ensure its freshness. Although when it comes to the price, it makes sense that it was more expensive than the regular coffee even robusta out there.
Have you tried peaberries?
Mac's Pinmapple Travel List
 | Mac is a jack of all trades. A typical introvert in love with literature, books, technology and philosophy. She is also so into nootropics, productivity, minimalist lifestyle, cybersecurity, and languages. Other than that, she is passionate about cooking and traveling. In her free time, she enjoys learning various things. If you like her content, don't hesitate to upvote, leave a comment or a feedback. A re-blog is also appreciated. |
Noooooooo I wish I could drink coffee. Hey, have you ever tried any Brazilian coffee? It would be cool to send you some (though I believe it might be a hella expensive to send coffee across the globe).
I have tried Brazilian beans from Starbucks, it's not optimal but it was accessible. I would love trying other beans from different regions there because each region has different notes and flavors. 😂 it's definitely quite costly shipping coffee from there to here.
I'm gonna check that, but I remember it being pretty pricey.
Look, I remembered of you today at the supermarket. These are the 'common' ones we have around. There's definitely gourmet stuff outside the supermarket.
Whooa the prices area also reasonable. I honestly would avoid nescafe because they are so regular, something we can find here. Caboclo and bom jesus sounds good. I think that also means good jesus, right?
Yup, good Jesus. Those are the common ones around here. Most of the reaaaaaaaaaally top notch coffees are exported, unless you go to a proper coffee place. You see, the most expensive one is 23 Reais, which is 4.5 dollars.
To be honest, I was unaware of this cafe's existence. I really appreciate you sharing your tasting experience.
I don't know how you managed to go all that time without drinking coffee dear friend @macchiata
I take this opportunity to wish you a splendid afternoon
You can find this coffee anywhere, it's just slightly rare because they don't make up the majority of the beans. I hope someday you get to try it.
Hi Mac!
Your photos are popping 🙌
I had to look up peaberries just now. I learned some new things from you and @lordtimoty today.
Yes, I would LOVE to try a peaberry coffee drink. I am assuming it got it's name from it's close resemblance to peanuts, right? I haven't read that anywhere just yet..but I think so 😅
I took the time with my camera instead using my phone, which I normally do 😂 There's definitely a huge difference and now, I am considering using my camera instead my phone. Actually Peaberry got its name because of it shapes, pea-like. If you find any coffee with peaberry in it, you have to try it, it's just different flavor and aroma esp if you get robusta, it's gonna have more caffeine. Just perfect when you needed a morning boost and motivation.
Yes, there's a big difference in photo quality when using a camera... it probably takes a little longer to upload and edit, but definitely worth it.
For sure, if I ever sea Peaberry in anything, I'd definitely give it a go:)))
You even added the procedure of making the new coffee you introduced... Seem like you have all the equipment you need to make your coffees.
Do you visit coffee sometimes still?
I love peanut butter and that means I'll love peaberries coffee even as a beginner in taking coffee... But they are expensive? Is it like that everywhere?
I have all the equipment needed to make drip coffee. I don't have espresso machine but considering getting one sometimes this year. I visit cafe once a week one because after visiting them 3-4 times a day, different cafes, it gets pretty boring. Essentially, they offer the same menu just with different signature and beans. I am way over my cafe experimenting phase. Nowadays, I am going back experimenting them at home.
Peaberries are generally more expensive than the others. If you are a beginner, I consider trying a single-origin coffee since you would have better understanding and will be able to distinguish flavors and aroma as you go.
Wow I didn't coffee shops gets boring too 😅 I'm yet to visit one though.
I hope you get an espresso machine soon.
Thanks for the advice to a beginner like me 😊 I can be very good with distinguishing aromas.
I am sure peaberries coffee is the best one. Usually it has bold taste. I used to taste javenese peaberry. But I drink Gayo Arabica Peaberry almost everyday.. :)
What do you think is the difference between the two in terms of flavor?
I think gayo coffee has a bit stronger body. I remember that “Lemon like” hint I found in both coffee. I think we need to have cupping test for each coffee to know the differences of aroma and flavor of them.
The rewards earned on this comment will go directly to the people( @macchiata ) sharing the post on Twitter as long as they are registered with @poshtoken. Sign up at https://hiveposh.com.
What totally stole my attention was your coffee mug, what an adorable and funny thing at the same time, do you have other mugs with those motifs' it would be interesting to see them.
I have some nice mugs here and there, after all despite calling myself a minimalist, I have a decent mug collection due to my hobby doing the home cafe thing 😂 I should show them sometimes.
Hahaha so you're a maximalist when it comes to coffee hahaha.
I have to add more cups to my collection.
Even though I live in Indonesia, I have never tried the taste of the Coffee Lanang. Hope to try it someday 😃
Its surprising that you spend days without coffee 😆 Peaberries sounds interesting i should put them in my try-to list. Thank you for the introduction of a new coffee i never heard of
hahaha I was even surprised too. Sometimes my laziness got the best of me. I am pretty sure there's a lot in Sumatra. There are some brands I see in the market that sells sumatra peaberry and I am going to try them next.
I think I haven't tried peaberry yet.. but will try to look for one and the book that you recommend sounds interesting :).
thanks for sharing!
Thank you @cinnccf! cheers!