Belmont Coffee Lovers Get First Taste

Just as Charles Darwin traveled to the mysterious Galápagos Islands to study uncommon species, Starbucks has gone here to bring coffee lovers an exceptional bean from the remote San Cristóbal Island that both of Belmont's local Starbucks stores will carry for a limited time.

Tomorrow, Aug. 31, Starbucks is launching the first coffee of the Starbucks Reserve line, Galápagos San Cristóbal. Harvested from a one-family owned farm on the island, the coffee bean is extremely rare and will be sold in less than 1,000 stores nationwide.

The new line of coffee, Starbucks Reserve will carry some of the world's most prized coffees from far off places on the earth that will only be available in select stores. Each period will consist of a premium coffee that sophisticated coffee drinkers can appreciate for its delicate taste and defined quantity. 

Ana Rilys, the assistant manager of the store located on Trapelo Road, said that they were chosen to carry the limited coffee because of their high whole bean sales and they have the Clover machine, which is like a French press, but with settings that adjust for a precise brew by the cup.

Up until now, customers could get only purchase special coffees brewed by the Clover, which Starbucks will continue to serve in addition to the Starbucks Reserve.

Rilys said to enjoy the coffee best, which is sold at $12.50 for eight ounces and $3.45 per cup, the Clover should brew it. The Clover may not be available in all Starbucks shops. The alternative brew methods are the pour over method and of course the French press.

Rilys said the coffee was so precious that they were not allowed to sample it beforehand. For example, Starbucks offers 5,000,000 pounds of the Guatemalan Antigue per year, whereas the Galápagos San Cristóbal is merely 800,000 pounds.

The partners, as staff are called, sampled it once in a tasting on Saturday, which she was not present for, so she sat down with Patch to indulge in a first-time tasting. 

"It's surprisingly light and super smooth," she said after cupping it to smell the aroma and taking a sip.

It's so smooth and light, that sugar, milk or cream may prevent one from experiencing the soft balanced flavor.

Benefiting from the microclimate that is attributed to the Humboldt Current, in combination with the volcanic soil, the medium coffee is low in acidity and has a well-rounded flavor with "soft cocoa and spice."

"Starbucks Reserve coffee is a good way for any coffee drinker to experience new flavors or something different," said Rilys.

The Galápagos San Cristóbal was available in the store today and officially debuts tomorrow. It has already sold out on Starbucks' Web site.