Tanzania, Colombia and the return of Guatemala Union Cantinil
Brand new arrivals from Tanzania and Colombia have arrived. Along with them the returning favorite; Guatemala Union Cantinil.
Continue reading for more info on these offerings.
Juicy, tart and sweet; you can’t ignore this Tanzania Peaberry. Silky and rich mouthfeel with notes of lemon custard and nectarine.
Tanzania | umaliLa peaberry
[TAN-ZUH-NEE-YUH • OO-MA-LEE-LUH • PEE-BARE-EE]
Notes:
Lemon Custard, Watermelon, Nectarine
Varietals:
Kent, N39
Process:
Washed
Elevation:
1,650 MASL
Tanzanian coffee producers have embraced innovation, transitioning from an old depulping method to a clean washed process. This shift involves using Penagos ecopulpers and meticulously maintained clean washing channels, mirroring methods you’d find in coffee-producing regions like Kenya or Ethiopia. These investments in agronomic best practices combined with the unique varieties grown (mainly Kent, alongside hybrids and Bourbon mutations rarely found elsewhere) offer immense potential for speciality offerings out of Tanzania.
Sit back and relax with a cup of Colombia Buesaco, you’ll find warm notes of apple and brown sugar.
COLOMBIA | BUESACO
[KUH-LUM-BEE-YUH • BWAY-SAK-OH]
Process:
Washed
Elevation:
2,100 MASL
Notes:
Apple, Caramel, Brown Sugar
Varietal:
Caturra, Colombia, Castillo
Sourced from the elevated terrains of Buesaco Nariño in southern Colombia, this exquisite coffee is cultivated at over 2,000 meters above sea level on average. Buesaco's unique geographic and climatic conditions, characterized by volcanic soil and an average temperature of 65 °F, provide an optimal environment for producing coffee with distinct mild taste, high acidity, and sweet notes.
The region’s coffee cultivation heritage dates back to the 18th century, growing over time to become an integral part of the local cultural, economic, and social fabric. With its first international exposure in the early 20th century, Buesaco Nariño's coffee has since been celebrated in the specialty coffee segment worldwide for its unparalleled quality, cultivated in the unique environmental conditions of the region.
The return of the nostalgic Guatemala Union Cantinil. This coffee is incredibly cozy with notes of dark chocolate and blackberry, super smooth and sweet.
GUATEMALA | UNION CANTINIL
[GWAT-AH-MAL-UH • YOON-YIN • KANT-UH-NIL]
Process:
Washed
Elevation:
1,700 MASL
Notes:
Dark Chocolate, Pear, Blackberry
Varietal:
Huehuetenango
This is an SHB EP grade washed coffee from Unión Cantinil municipality, located in the Huehuetenango department of Guatemala. This coffee is produced by smallholder farmers who typically have around 1ha of land and cultivate the varieties of Caturra, Catuai, Bourbon & Pache.
The coffee is fully processed by smallholder farmers. Cherries are harvested ripe and then de-pulped usually by either manual or small-motored pulpers. This is then left to ferment overnight until the coffee’s remaining mucilage has broken down. Washing is then carried out, usually in specialised channels.
The washed parchment is always sun dried as the small holders don’t have access to mechanical driers. The drying takes advantage of every bit of flat, full sun space that can be found, which is limited in Huehuetenango due to the mountainous and shaded terroir. This means the coffee is dried on roof tops, small patios and on tarps. It must be turned to ensure even drying and avoid over-fermentation or mold. Once the drying is complete the coffee is delivered to our Union Cantinil buying station for quality control and consolidation.
Huehuetenango is both a large department (or state) and the eponymous capital city of that same department. While coffee isn’t grown in the city of Huehuetenango, it is abundant in the high altitude mountains to the west and north of the city. Producers are predominantly smallholders with around 1 hectare of land. In order to buy coffee directly from these smallholder groups we have installed a number or regional micro-warehouses and buying stations. This has both enabled us to receive coffee directly from the small holders and cut the transport & logistics costs for them; all while providing stable market access for these remote communities.
Our micro-warehouse in Unión Cantinil is located in the heart of the municipality and receives coffee from a small radius of about 15km. This high altitude region has some of the best coffees in Huehuetenango. The generally north facing aspect of the mountains means the sun takes its time reaching the small plots where the coffee is grown. While there is some Catimor planted in the region, the common varietals are more traditional and conducive to a high quality cup, such as Bourbons, Caturras and Pache
Thanks for reading, now enjoy some delicious coffee!
Take it easy.