Friday, March 30, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Colombia Tolima El Meridiano
Our first Direct Trade ever.
This is a specially selected lot of coffee from the Tolima region. We work with an exporter who in turn works to select small lots of significantly superior cup quality, then follows those coffees through the wetmilling and drying stages. It comes from a small growers cooperative with only 58 members; average farm size is only 4.5 hectares, about 11 acres and this should be considered a 'relationship' coffee.
The coffee itself is a combination of Caturra (70%) with the balance variedad Colombia and Typica. This is very high grown coffee so the beans are generally smaller and more concentrated with the minimum bean size being screen 15. Farm altitudes are generally 5000 to 6300 feet. The coffee is fully washed with traditional processing but done in micro-mills on each farm rather than a centralized facility. Further, it is fully sun-dried in both greenhouse and rooftop drying patios.
La Meridiano is shade grown, getting shade from a number of tree species including Plantain, Cambulo, Chachafrtuo, Guamo and Nogal. Shade cover is about 40%.
Taste :
Amazing body and mouthfeel, clean and sweet. Long finish. Complex, crisp, refined acidity. Apple and berry fruit. Harmonious balance.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
LGB 1.2.
This new LGB is very very special.
First of all because all 3 of the components have had different processing.
The first one is a WASHED from Zimbabwe.
The AA+ PEZURU :
There are three farms from which this coffee is blended, with each having approximately 200
hectares of coffee and jointly produce approximately 17000 bags per annum.
Coffee is not shade grown, but the surrounding forests and vegetation is well protected.
Shade does not work in our Southern latitudes, as with seasonal temperatures and short
winter days, sun is imperative.
The soil is Sandy Clay Loam.
They have an annual rainfall that is on average 1250mm or 49 inches, which falls mainly
between November and April, but a small percentage comes from their May to July winter
mists.
The varieties of coffee grown are a mixture of Catimor varieties, with a small percentage of
10% SL28 coffee.
They have a rotational programme that uproots and re-plants each field every seven to eight
years, which means that they are always harvesting from young coffee, which is largely
disease free.
The coffees are all hand picked red cherry, with the same trees being re-picked
approximately 10 times over the harvest, to give a good 85% main grade return.
Harvesting starts in May, with the fly crop and runs through to end September. Dried
parchment is stored for approximately six weeks for conditioning, prior to hulling.
The Pezuru cupping showed nice apple, cinnamon, citrus and candy flavors.
The second one is a NATURAL (UNWASHED) from Brazil.
From the Fazenda LAGOA, Sul de Minas :
This is one of the best known farms of Brazil.
In the mid of Sul de Minas, Minas Gerais, close by the well known Carmo de Minas we find a lot of specialty beans.
Our collaboration with Cocariva is very fruitfull and it resulted in another great peaberry bean.
The cherry trees here, imported in 1720 from French Guyana, grow very healthy at Santo Antônio do Amparo at an altitude of 950 to 1200 meters, a mineral rich underground. The altitude and soil guarantee a lower cafein content and low acidity.
The farmer is really taking care of the local eco system and has extra attention towards his employees and pickers. For those he has food and shelter, builded an own school for the children and supports other locals initiatives on this matter.
The severe and ungoing quality checks all over the year make sure we get the best out of the beans.
The beans are not washed and are being dried in the sun.
This peaberry is a red bourbon that explodes in the mouth, it's strong and has a nice body with a little bitter after taste.
The third one is a classic and in this blend since October already : The PULPED NATURAL Yellow Bourbon Peaberry from the ISIDRO PEREIRA Estate, Carmo de Minas, Brazil.
The Carmo de Minas, Lambari and Sao Lourenco region is one of the most impressive coffee production areas in Brazil.
High mountains are home to mineral water springs, forest preservation areas and coffee plantations that attract many tourists. This region is known as the South Minas Water Spa Circuit.
All water used in post-harvest processing is recycled, treated in ponds and finally disposed of safely. All the pulp produced by the pulping process is returned to the farm's soil as an organice fertilizer.
This coffee also has a Fair Trade label.
Of course this new LGB blend is mostly special because of its taste.
The shots marry very well the fresh milk and create a very sweet cappuccino cup.
For Flat Whites i recommend taking a 6,5 oz (20cl) cup for more balance.
As a straight espresso we have lots of nuttyness and marsepin and sweetness.
Its strong, but still with a silky mouthfeel.
I adore the coffee most on double ristretto's.
Check it out yourself!
