Cowabunga! Surf’s up!  It’s California blend in the French Press this morning.

There is snow outside the window as I type this.  I sit here thinking about California, a long way away from me at the moment, but a place that fills my childhood memories.  Curvy coast highways, wild and powerful beaches, cable cars and giant redwoods.  Hollywood and Humboldt.

This coffee blend is aptly named.  Mild and laid back — but not Kona laid back, not like that Hawaiian coffee that puts me to sleep — this is California laid back.  It puts me in a relaxed but alert, contemplative mood.  Introspective.  Creative.

It has a bold first wave, not strong as much as flavorful, and as that washes across your palate it fades nicely like a sunset’s warm glow, ending smooth and rich.  It finishes with a nice, mildly-tart aftertaste that hints lightly of hazelnut and perhaps the ghost of French Roast.

I find this coffee does well in both a coffee press and also in a plain old drip maker.  If I were to classify it, I’d say it’s more an afternoon coffee than a morning blend, and perhaps even a dessert coffee.  It’s not one to chug and forget, but to savor, linger over, and — if you’re so inclined — use to fuel some nice daydreams.

Like, perhaps, being somewhere too warm for snow.

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