Our coffee of the year is selected during a two week tasting period with 5 experienced coffee tasting judges and almost one-hundred different coffees. After the first week is complete, an elimination vote narrows the number of coffees remaining to 20. A second elimination vote follows after the next two days which leaves the number of remaining coffees at ten. The final three days is spent repeatedly sampling the final ten coffees. The coffees are ground from whole beans using a burr grinder and are brewed using three methods; vacuum, drip and French press. After the three days are complete, the judges are asked to vote for their favorite coffee by ballot.

Once in a great while a coffee comes along that truly redefines the bar at which we rate coffee. The coffee that we are speaking of is produced by The JavaBerry Coffee Company, a relative newcomer to the gourmet coffee sector. The name of the coffee that is causing such a 'positive stir' in the industry is the JavaBerry Black Estate Reserve, a 100% shade grown Kona bean blend.

The JavaBerry Black is a one-hundred percent shade grown Kona bean coffee. While there are other 100% Kona coffees, that is where the similarity comes to a drastic halt. JavaBerry beans are hand-selected and shade grown on unique volcanic soil that imparts a distinctive flavor unlike any other Kona coffee we have tried. The coffee possesses the full range of the characteristics that make Kona a world favorite. Smooth, rich, full bodied with complex flavor and perfectly balanced acidity.

Since trying JB Black Reserve, we have tried many of their other offerings such as JavaBerry Jamaican Blue Mountain and JavaBerry Kona Peaberry and have been extremely impressed with their consistent high-quality. Depending on your personal preference of coffee type (Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain, etc.) you will find the purest of what that style has to offer with the JavaBerry Coffee Company.

If my mark chart had 6 stars, I would easily rate this coffee higher but since I made the chart and 5 is my highest score, I must stick to it. Simply put the JavaBerry Black Estate Reserve is one of the best coffees I have had the pleasure of tasting. The JavaBerry Coffee Company roasts all orders immediately prior to shipping which is of paramount importance. It is well known that coffee beans over two weeks old lose a significant amount of their flavor. This is true no matter how well they are packaged. But I digress, on to the coffee review. The Black is a 100% Kona coffee, a blend of Kona Peaberry and Kona Extra Fancy which are the two highest grades of Kona beans. This coffee is a true coffee masterpiece, full of flavor, smooth and with a balanced finish. Kona Black is suitable for drinking in the morning or evening depending on your taste. As you probably know I drink my coffee black via a French Press and my wife has hers with milk brewed drip with a gold cone filter. Guess what? This is one of the few coffees that she is able to drink black and still enjoy herself doing so.

The JavaBerry Coffee Co. is a true micro-roaster that produces some of the best coffee on the planet. The price may turn a few people away from this great coffee, but please take my advice on this one and try this coffee at least once. You will undoubtedly be extremely pleased with their coffee.