Stella Leone Caffe Espresso: Best Coffee on the Planet?

After waking up on a lazy Sunday morning in downtown Chicago, still half a sleep, I reached for a brand new bag of coffee I have never tried before from Stella Leone Caffe.  On the front of the bag, situated above the brand name, are a couple of lions facing each other, with a large red star between them.  Below is an outline of a lion with the number one in the middle.  I found out that Stella Leone offers 5 sizes, and each product is boldly labeled numerically (No 1, 2, and 4 are usually 12oz sizes. No. 3 is made for a 2 pound bag and No. 5 is the big bag made for commercial use).

With a statement like that, who wouldn't be curious to try the contents? I immediately opened the bag of their Whole Bean Espresso to unlock the invigorating aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans.

Based on a northern Italian Espresso profile, Stella Leone Caffe delivers a cup of coffee freshly roasted every week with an artisan roaster in Chicago. They select coffees from around the globe, and then blend them to create their espresso profile. Their goal is to please the most discerning palate.

Now...time to find out if Stella Leone has crafted the best coffee on the planet.  Seconds later, I grinded and brewed the coffee to start the process of unlocking the aroma from within the coffee beans.  After brewing the coffee, I sat down to relax and enjoy the freshly brewed cup of coffee looking out some expansive windows with a view of Lake Michigan on a beautiful sunny day.

The aroma has a light chocolate smell and the liquid has a chocolate coloring.  It has a medium body flavor for an espresso and not like the dark ones I am use to enjoying.  I must admit I do prefer the darker coffees for my first two cups; however, I am a lover of all good quality coffees.  The taste has a pleasing delicate chocolate flavor, mild and smooth bitterness with a small amount of acidity and aftertaste.  However, I did not taste the hints of fruity flowers as described on the back of the bag.

My thoughts
Stella Leone’s espresso is a good cup of coffee, but not the best coffee on the planet. First thing in the morning, it is a good first and second cup of coffee. But this coffee will pique your curiosity with its chocolate notes, along with its great aromic body. I recommend grinding the whole beans immediately before brewing (when possible), and store in an airtight spot outside of the refrigerator. Stella can be used in your espresso maker or as your normally brewed coffee.

At the Stella Leone Caffe website, I found they consider every environmental and social impact of everyone involved in the supply chain. I was also impressed to find out that Stella Leone Caffe supports the United Foundation for the Future of Kids.  At $12.50 per bag, it’s reasonably priced for good quality coffee for the true coffee lover.  At this price, I would definitely purchase and consume this coffee on a regular basis.

Author Extras
To find more articles by James Stoker, check out his page on the WilmettePatch.com that archives his weekly columns.

Website
www.stellaleonecaffe.com

Facebook
www.facebook.com/people/Stella-Leone-Caffe

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