Ethiopian Harrar from Barista On Duty Review

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The Drink: Ethiopian Harrar from Barista On Duty
Type: Whole Bean
Overall Rating: 4.25 Out Of 5 Coffee Cups

I don’t want it to go to his head, but Johnny Milton, AKA the Barista On Duty pan roasts some amazing coffees. Back in November, he sent me three of his coffees to try. Each one was better than the last. The Harrar that he sent me back than was unforgettable, but somehow he topped it with the latest batch that he sent me.

Barista On Duty sent me enough beans to specifically make coffee for a moka pot and a french press sampling. I started off this morning with the moka pot.

The aroma from the moka pot coffee was winelike and earthy, similar to what I remembered.

The taste was similar too, winelike with a more pronounced earthy taste. It has a rich, almost organic taste. I can’t put my finger on the exact words to describe it, but it was delicious overall. Probably the best tasting coffee that I’ve had in my moka pot yet.

However, the french press was even better.

The rich winelike aroma filled my nose. I could almost smell the grapes in it. There was the earthy aroma again, and this time I was picking up a chocolate scent too. It was similar to my last sampling of it, but this time it was on a higher level.

My taste buds were greeted with a darker, deeper taste than I remembered. There was the wine-chocolate mix that I can’t get enough. This time winelike taste was a combination of grapes and other berries. The chocolate flavor reminded me of a rich, high end chocolate.

When it cooled down, there was the fruit explosion that I remembered. The fruit flavors came out and just about overtook my tongue.

The after taste held on to my tongue and didn’t want to let go. Amazing.

And I have to mention that it was very smooth.

Overall, it wasn’t just as good as I remembered, it was even better. The taste was improved, but the aroma was what really stood out to me this time. The Harrar I tasted in November earned a four out of five. This one’s a 4.25.

Barista On Duty’s coffees are pan roasted by hand and I think the quality and attention to detail of the coffee really makes him standout.

Learn more about Barista On Duty.

Disclosure – Barista On Duty sent me samples of his coffee for review purposes and I regularly chat with him on Twitter. However, I hold his coffees to a higher standard than I do many others.

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Category: Coffee Reviews

About the Author ()

Mike Crimmins is the highly caffeinated blogger behind Daily Shot Of Coffee. Besides drinking way too much coffee, he's obsessed with the Yankees and getting dirty on his mountain bike.

Comments (11)

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  1. Baristaonduty says:
    January 16, 2010 at 9:32 am

    Nice Review Mike, Glad To Have Made U A Beanleiver Of The Harrar. I Appreciate All Ur Coffee Efforts, Keep Doing What U Do! Man U Make Me Look Good! You Almost Made Me Wanna Go Make A Pot, Only Thing Is I Dont Have Any More Harrar With Me In ATL Drank It All At A Cafe Last Night I Use To Work In When I Live Here In The A. Thanks Again Bro! Good Job!

    Reply
  2. Melody says:
    January 16, 2010 at 10:24 am

    I definitely think that BaristaOnDuty is doing some amazing things with pan roasting beans. I’m impressed he can get a consistent flavor and roast profile from batch to batch with this roasting method. I’ve tried his coffee and like it, though it is a tad lighter roasted than what my palate is used to. I tried Harrar too!

    Reply
    • Mike says:
      January 16, 2010 at 10:29 am

      I like the lighter profile, but that’s just me in general I think, compared to your palate.

      Reply
    • Baristaonduty says:
      January 16, 2010 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks For Ur Comment, I Would Like To Add That The Roast U Received Was A Standard Roast, Because Unless A Client Specifies Their Tastes It Makes It Easier For Me To Customize Their Future Roasts. One Of My Beliefs Is Only Ur Individual Palate Can Dictate What U Prefer In A Roast, I Dont Abide By The Standard Rules Of Roasting, Example How Some Coffees R Roasted Light Medium Or Dark, Rarely Will U See The Same Bean Roasted As A Light Med Or Dark. Thats What I Specialize In Bean Customization U Tell Me What N How U Want Ur Roast, It’s Ur Bean N U Should Have That Control Over Ur Beans .I Roast For My Clients As Requested Not For My Personal Preferences. Thanks Again For Ur Feedback.. C|_|

      Reply
    • Jennifer from Daily Demitasse says:
      January 16, 2010 at 8:59 pm

      Melody,
      When you buy straight from him, he will roast according to your palette.
      Just an inside tip…
      .-= Jennifer from Daily Demitasse´s last blog ..5 Free Ways To Market Your Coffee Business This Year =-.

      Reply
  3. Jennifer from Daily Demitasse says:
    January 16, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    I just got my beans from him today and can’t wait to find out how they could possibly get any better.
    .-= Jennifer from Daily Demitasse´s last blog ..5 Free Ways To Market Your Coffee Business This Year =-.

    Reply

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