How embarrassing this MP expense scandal is. And a scandal it surely is. Hard to see how some expenses fall within that gamut that the rules allow.
Anyway, the reason, why I mention all this is that I am somewhat aggrieved that MP's will find it harder to file in their expenses a packet of finest Wallenford Estate Jamaican coffee (approx £75/kg). Instead, they may have to make do with some Turbo Roasted Euro Blar stock coffee (approx £5.99/kg). So that is what is being reveiwed today.
Now we shouldn't dismiss it just because it whizzes through the roaster at high speed and at extra high temperature to reduce costs. Also we shouldn't dismiss it because compared to their slow roasted cousins, the depth of flavour has disappeared up the flue, nor should we look down our noses and and tut at the unfortunate beans that have been dealt a rough card. No, we should taste them and make up our minds.
OK, here we go then. First impressions are the crema is not bad, thick enough but only just. A slight tweak on the grinder may adjust this, but extraction time is at its max, so I doubt it. Colour is a little on the light side, (I refer the honourable gentleman to the answer I gave some moments ago (about extraction)). Taste wise, well actually it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yes a Kojak coffee (a bit thin on top, but got some body), nevertheless, I have tasted far worse. The taste buds don't fire to the tune of a Harley, but actually I'm quite surprised that I haven't reached for the bucket. Don't get me wrong, this isn't great, but it's not terrible either. Little acidity, some body, nothing too exciting, little depth and maybe a little bland - in fact perfect for our current batch of MP's!!
