Posted on November 10, 2005 - by deCadmus
Tasting: Seattle’s Best “Henry’s Blend”
- Rating: Rating:
The story on the oh-so-hipster bag says that Henry’s Blend is “named after the big friendly cat that once lived at the original Seattle’s Best Coffee roasting plant on Vashon Island.”
Aptly so.
The trouble with a stray cat is, that cat’s never really gonna be your friend. A stray cat’s got no boss, no loyalties and no apologies — ever. Oh sure, you might think that cat’s your buddy… but you’re kidding yourself. If a better deal comes along it’s outta here and gone, and don’t you go making the mistake of getting in its way. No sir, a stray cat is inconstant as a November sky.
And so too, it seems, is Henry’s Blend. While its roast remains much the same, I’ve yet to meet two bags that had much in common in terms of aroma (maybe caramelly, maybe creosote) or taste (maybe smoky cedar, maybe burnt peatmoss) or finish (long and resonant, or ashy and sullen.)
So be careful of that friendly stray — don’t get too attached. And while you’re at it, I’d steer clear of Henry’s Blend. There’s a world of great coffees out there just waiting for you. This isn’t one of them.
Not recommended.
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Hello.
Bloggle is the online playground of Doug Cadmus, a usability guy, writer, photographer and sometime dramatist who moved to Vermont for the coffee. When not writing, reading or walking his old, blind golden retriever, he roasts coffee in his garage and is the Web Guy for Green Mountain Coffee in Waterbury, VT. Flickr Photos
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July 25, 2006
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Dear writer, I beg to differ with you on your stray cat image here. I realize that it works fairly well as a literary simile in your coffee review, but fact is that most “stray” cats are very amenable to bonding and stability, once redeemed from their horrific street circumstances.
I rescue and rehabilitate abused, abandoned, and neglected cats from the streets of Chicago. I can assure you that all of the candidates I have brought in over the past 25 years live happy, devoted, grateful lives, and most of them never turn around to look at the door again.
Besides, I see no indication from SBC’s narrative that Henry was ever a “stray” cat. He may have been far from it. So come on, dear writer, give the furry guys a chance!
As for the coffee, well, all blends have their own unique personalities, and the factors behind the perfect cup can vary daily. Henry’s does make a great summer concoction with chipped ice or ice cream. Thanks for your perspective in any case. Cheers, Mary
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July 25, 2006
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Yes, but how many of those strays have you tried to dress in a yellow and orange striped sweater? ;)
Thanks for the note!
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August 14, 2008
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[...] a nice turn of phrase, too… I’d forgotten having written it. But here it is, in this review for a less-than-stellar coffee: The trouble with a stray cat is, that cat’s never really gonna be your friend. A stray cat’s [...]