Red Bay CoffeeCarvers Dream

The gift selection package has three brands of coffee; King’s Prize, Motherland and Coltrane. All are rated as a medium roast coffee blend. For someone that likes a smooth tasting coffee that doesn’t overpower the pallet will really enjoy these blends. From opening the package to enjoying a cup of coffee every time! Here are a few noteworthy comments regarding this coffee.Freshness: Excellently packaged and sealed. I could not smell a single bean until I opened the package. I suspect the air tight seal keeps the beans very fresh, and will do so for a long time. Once the package is opened, it permeates my office with a pleasant coffee bean aroma. Prior to this review, my wife did not like the smell of coffee, thus I had to move the coffee maker from the kitchen to my office room. However, the aroma of Red Bay coffee beans appeals to her. The seal used for each bag easily closes for an airtight seal, keeping the unused portion very fresh.Aroma: While I’m not an expert at aroma’s, I can tell that each of the Red Bay coffee’s have a unique bean smell that are slightly different from one another. I compared this smell with an instant and a common generic brand. The instant coffee had no smell at all and the generic brand had a ‘machine’ smell to it. I believe that I was smelling chemicals. No wonder my wife didn’t like the aroma of the generic brands. Red Bay beans clearly have a pleasant and distinct odor that will put a coffee lover in a “coffee drinking” mood.On the front of each bag that contains ingredients of that blend. The “Motherland” has orange blossom, turbinado sugar and damson plum. While I can’t smell these flavors, there is something about the taste. I cannot uniquely identify the particular flavors within a sip of coffee, but can tell that the sip is very smooth.I find myself finishing a cup too quickly. I thoroughly enjoy all three blends. While they are all considered a medium dark roast, I find the Coltrane and King’s Prize to be a little stronger. I extremely like the brand “Motherland”. It has this light mellow coffee flavor that doesn’t overpower my taste buds – I could drink gallons of this each morning!I’m not scientist-I don’t know how much or even if there is any caffeine in these beans; or perhaps it could just be the natural ingredients that are used in the blend; but by the end of my first cup in the morning, I’m awake and ready for the day. I don’t use a lot of beans, maybe about 35 beans to make a ‘4 cup’ mini machine (about 20 ounces-that’s a little larger than a small water bottle). And to boot, I warm up a second batch using the same beans. While the flavor is diminished, I still get a decent second pot of coffee out of it. When pouring the coffee from the coffee maker, I can see that these three brands have a nice light brown look. Other generic brands are much darker, even when a small amount of coffee bean is used.You will need a blender as this coffee arrives in bean form. In research that I have done online, it appears having the coffee in bean form until it is used keeps the coffee fresher and the taste from getting stale. I have only had this sample for two weeks, but each time I open a bag, I can’t help but smell the pleasant aroma of the bean.I can taste quality in the beans and am reminded of the exemplary manor in which they must have been processed. The beans arrived very fresh and due to the packing, I’m able to keep unused portions fresh as well. All three types in this gift set are a medium blend in my opinion for someone that wants to enjoy taking a sip of coffee. I nice refreshing taste on a cold winter’s day!I would like to see a gift package with more selections. Possibly reduce to size of the bag and include other flavors; Brazilian Cake Lady, East fourteenth, Slow Burn and Carver’s Dream in a gift package.

I’ve tried a lot of coffee beans over the years, and Red Bay is the best of them all. Well roasted, not bitter. Oakland based company that really prides themselves on their beans. They also have brick and mortar shops around the Bay Area. All their bean varieties have been great!I’ve given their coffee beans as gifts at the holidays. They’re that good!

I have always loved the way coffee smells. This coffee did not disappoint me. The aroma when you open the box was great. Couldn't wait to taste the three flavors. The fresh ground beans made my morning. Then I brewed myself a cup. This was the best coffee I have had in a long time. I do not use fresh ground beans. I think that make the difference. I have tried all three flavors and I must say I don't really have a favorite, I like them all. They are a great medium roast, but If I had to choose, I choose Motherland. I have shared this coffee with my family, and they really like them as much as I do. Thanks for sharing

Nice aroma, good body and lots of rich flavor. I know people hate on decaf a lot but it's generally my go-to most days; at most I'm a half-caf type of gal. I have served this to many a person at my home who had no idea whatsoever it was decaf, including the most diehard of coffee snobs - I mean, connoisseurs. My one complaint is that I do like a more oily bean and these are a little on the dry side, but it is such a minor complaint I must admit these have been my go-to coffee beans for the last 3 orders. I was just saying I might branch out to something new next time...but if it ain't broke, I don't really want to fix it. I'm happy with these beans in general and will continue to recommend them to others.

Really like this coffee

Great coffee from a small local business.

This is good coffee but I found nothing noteworthy about it.

Absolutely delicious