PODcast Newsletter, Issue 20

The North vs. The South

You may have heard about the battle between Northern and Southern Italian roasts. Put in its simplest terms, in Northern Italy they roast their beans fairly lightly and in Southern Italy they go for dark. Dark roasted beans look so inviting and delicious — the dark brown, almost black, beans shining with oil... Looks great — but Northern Italian roasters insist that this level of roast destroys the subtle flavors and leaves a taste of charcoal. The Southern Italians swear by their dark roast. Who's right? Can we say for certain?

Before addressing how this affects pods, first let me state simply that shiny, fully roasted beans with the oil on the outside will probably spoil faster than those with a light roast since the important oils are more exposed to the air and therefore oxidize faster. By the way, roasted beans are only good for a week to 10 days once exposed to air. One can assume that shiny dark roasted beans will spoil faster than light roasted beans. Points for espresso pods with their individually portioned and nitrogen-flushed freshness-prolonging packaging!

Well, now down to the question. Light good? Dark bad? This is my current opinion — my thinking at this point — and admittedly subject to change. To wit...

The subtle flavors and aromas of the lighter Northern Italian roast are delicate and may not survive non-optimal conditions encountered before landing in your cup. Everything has to be "just so" to tap the potential of light roasts. The darker roasts, however, having more caramelization (a fairly non-delicate characteristic) tend to do better under non-perfect conditions. In my experience it is not uncommon for light roasted beans to produce a sour cup.

Now, as we know, pods are great for their ease of use, easy clean up, and freshness. However, the very act of pre-grinding coffee — which removes variables that can go wrong — also prohibits optimization. So, in my experience, the darker roast pods tend to produce a more successful brew than lighter roast pods. And by the same token, when making espresso in the traditional manner from whole beans, darker roasts will probably yield more satisfactory results if the equipment and training is not first-rate.
 

Yet another roaster's pods have been added to PodMerchant's already extensive lineup! PodMerchant is now carrying pods by the Trieste roaster, Vidiz and Kessler — brand name Dock Caffe'. Vidiz & Kessler Ltd. was created by Antonio Vidiz, working in the bakery industry since 1928, and Bruno Kessler, working in the field of tea and herbal drinks since 1948. The newly founded company began roasting coffee in addition to tea and herbal drinks, and soon it became the company's main product. From early on Vidiz & Kessler were producers of decaffeinate coffee.

With the adoption of the trade-mark "DOCK" for the coffee and barley production, Vidiz & Kessler has intended to highlight one of the most characteristic places of its town: the old harbor of Trieste, since the Trieste docks have been receiving and exporting coffee from time immemorial.

Regarding their logo: I am told that the creature in the cup is a porcupine. No, I don't know why they chose this for their logo...

Visit their website at www.dockcaffe.it to learn more about this company.
 

This issue's Featured Product is Dock Caffe' 100% Arabica Espresso Pods. Dock Caffe' 100% Arabica is an Arabica blend, meaning it is a blend of 100% Arabica beans from multiple growing regions (see our Coffee Primer). Vidiz & Kessler, being roasters of Trieste, would be considered Northern Italian roasters. My personal experience with the Dock line does not obviously mark their roast as a typical light roast. Dock 100% Arabica is very smooth and flavorful, yet not overly delicate. It's a good every day espresso.

Also worth special mention is Dock Caffe' Decaffeinato Pods. Vidiz & Kessler specialized early on in decaffeinated coffees, and judging from the taste of this, it is evident. Dock's decaf is one of the best decaffienated espressos from a pod we've had. Great crema, great aroma, great taste, great body.

We also carry Dock Espresso Italia, their Arabica / Robusta blend which we are certain will also be popular.
 

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