Review of: Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso
Quick Review
- Aroma: 4 out of 5
- Satisfaction: 4.5 out of 5
- Coffee Bean: 3.5 out of 5
- Affordability: 4 out of 5
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Sometimes, you want to have a cup of coffee to wake you up. However, sometimes your coffee doesn’t just need to wake you up, it needs to be strong enough to kick every neuron in your brain into action! What are the best coffee beans to get you going in this fashion?
If you’re bewildered by the variety of coffee beans on the market and want to ensure that your morning brew will deliver on aroma, this Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso review will help you make up your mind about which are the best coffee beans – before you finish making your coffee.
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Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso Review
Kicking Horse Coffee has been on the market for 20 years and has achieved cult status among its loyal following of coffee aficionados. Kicking Horse has been voted Canada’s Top Selling Organic, Fairtrade Coffee for 13 years running.
From their base in the Canadian Rockies, they have expanded their range to over a dozen products. The company not only sells whole bean coffee blends but has also expanded its customer’s choices to include ground coffee blends for those who want the flavor but do not have the time or inclination to grind the beans themselves.
Who Is This Product For?
These are the best coffee beans that will suit espresso lovers who want a medium roast flavor but without a burnt aftertaste.
However, as the beans are slightly oily, you won’t be able to use these beans on a super-automatic espresso machine as they will stick together and might clog the grinder.
What’s Included?
The beans are delivered in 2.2lb (1kg) valve black bags with Fairtrade, Organic certification on the packaging. It is the only size that the Cliff Hanger blend comes in.
Overview of Features
Espresso is not a blend of coffee or a particular bean; it is simply the method of making the coffee. An espresso machine uses boiling water under high pressure, ensuring more intensity of flavor.
This espresso blend combines beans from Central America (for a touch of acidity), Ethiopian beans with their signature fruity tones, and the balance from Indonesia which are full-bodied beans with lower acidity. The beans are smaller and denser than other beans in appearance.
These beans have a slightly “wet” look. This indicates that the beans have been roasted for longer as the oils have started seeping, though this is not a dark roast. Espresso beans need to be finely ground and this amount of oil might clog a super-automatic espresso machine.
The Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso has a blackcurrant aroma with hints of milk chocolate and brown sugar, with a defined cocoa finish. It can create an espresso with a nice, smooth flavor.
Due to the high pressure used in an espresso machine, once the coffee is poured into the cup, a layer of foam is formed on the top. This layer is called the crema. Freshly roasted coffee will have more crema as more chemicals have been released due to the pressure of the water. The Cliff Hanger supplies the crema, but perhaps not as much as other blends do, but the flavor of the coffee will make your day start with a smile.
How to Use
Follow the instructions for your espresso maker. As with all things in life, remember that what you put in is what you’ll get out.
The key to making good espresso is the grinding of the beans. The more freshly ground, the better. So it’s best to grind the beans right before you brew the coffee. Compacting freshly ground beans restricts water flow, thus collecting more flavor.
This blend is not just for an espresso machine. If you don’t have an espresso maker you can still make an espresso in a French press (with coarsely ground beans), a drip machine (medium grind), or pour over (also a medium grind).
Alternatives
The Cliff Hanger Espresso is a flavorful smooth espresso packed with aroma. However, sometimes you need to mix it up a little, so here’s another suggestion:
Lavazza Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend is a mix of Arabica beans from Brazil and Honduras. These are blended by an Italian family who has become famous for their blends in Italy and across Europe. This is also a medium roast blend, but with a velvety taste and a lighter body with a nice crema. These beans are not oily. That means less cleaning and maintenance on your espresso machine!
Conclusion
The Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso beans give you your morning jolt of caffeine with a smooth aroma and without the acidic aftertaste that is often found in espresso blends.
The Freetrade and Organic certification will allow you to drink a cup of coffee knowing that every cup contributes to the community where it was grown. This results in the perfect blend of a good cup of coffee and a good feeling!
