Lemma Coffee Co - Mara Estate (Kenya)

I was in the North Dallas area a little while ago for gigs and general mayhem... and, like I usually do, I went on the hunt for some good coffee.  And boy howdy, did I find it!!!

I found Lemma Coffee Company in a small strip of shops in Carrollton, TX and was immediately in love: GREAT selection of coffee, excellent staff, a good location to just chill (either in the shop of around Carrollton Square), and... it's next door to Dead Wax Records!

But for now, let's check out this bag of beans I picked up.

I haven't tried a lot of coffees from Kenya, but I am super into the idea of trying beans from Africa.

The Mara Estate in Kenya has had a brief, but interesting history.  While Kenya coffee production is not as long as their neighbor Ethiopia, they produce some exceptional coffees.

This roast from Lemma is quite good and complex.  The coffee is not as smooth as Ethiopian and initially, I felt like it left a coffee film in my mouth.  But as the coffee cooled a bit, that filmy texture went away... or I just got used to it.  I definitely picked up on the blueberry and dark cherry essence of this coffee as well as a hint of cinnamon.  This is especially true after grinding the beans before brewing as the fragrance of blueberries and coffee fills the kitchen!

As an espresso - this coffee would work well as it imparts an almost Turkish coffee sweetness when finely ground.  Maybe that filmy texture I noticed is what Lemma calls "creamy"?  Also, I'm not picking up on the mango tasting notes as printed on the package - but that's not a deal-killer as I'm very happy with this bean and hope to check out Lemma again the next time I'm in the Dallas area!

In other news - I freaking completed the MS150!!!  one hundred and fifty miles on a bike.  And strangely enough, my body was not in complete pain afterward.  I probably don't look very ecstatic in the photos below because it was HOT and I was wiped out & sore by the time I got to the finish line.  I almost started crying once I crossed the finish as I was so relieved and just... I don't know how to explain it.  Relief / exhaustion / overwhelmed...?

I want to also note that I will probably not be riding the MS150 next year as I felt like I have accomplished what I wanted to do and would like to participate in other big, long-distance rides.  Plus, I kinda hate fund-raising.  I had to fund-raise when I was in 6th and 7th grade while at a Catholic school and I hated it then too: both the fund-raising and the Catholic part.  I'd rather just pay a fee (I know these things can be expensive to organize) and focus on the ride. 

But, I also gotta say that I am going to (gasp!) buy a multi-speed bike.  Yup - after three years of being obstinate about riding a single-speed EVERYWHERE, I'm going to pick up a multi-speed bike for longer rides such as these.  Alas Purple Reign, you will always be with me for local, fun rides - but the time has come to acknowledge that I need to use better gear for these more demanding rides.  

I'm kinda sad again!  :(