News

We have a new coffee coming onto the counter this month from Clovis Mello’s farm in Brazil, Terra de São Francisco. We bought two very small lots from this farm – Arara, which we sent out in the subscription coffees in August, and Yellow Catuaí which will be available soon. This coffee fills the Sitio Grota São Pedro-sized gap we … Continue reading

One of the biggest decisions a coffee farmer must make is selecting the best varieties of coffee to plant on their farm. The ‘best’ can have a few different meanings and a balance must ideally be struck between productivity, cup quality, and marketability. The varietal selection has a strong influence on the final cup flavour along with processing method and … Continue reading

Last month we touched briefly on the longer-term impacts that can result from decisions made in the short term on a coffee farm. This month we wrap up our La Bolsa series with discussion on the farm’s longer-term challenges.  Finca La Bolsa is in the Huehuetenango state, near the border with Mexico, and the area has been going through a … Continue reading

Last month we talked about the crop cycle at La Bolsa and the harvest pattern that is repeated year after year. The first harvest for a coffee tree is usually three years after planting and the trees are typically productive for thirty years or so before being replaced. Farmers either buy in seedlings or select their own seed from their … Continue reading

It’s always fun to have two coffees from the same farm on the counter at the same time – and this month we have the two La Bolsas. Both are from the same crop, the same varietals and the same processing (traditional washed) method. They differ in a key aspect though – caffeine. After selection at the end of last … Continue reading

What a glorious start to Spring we are having and a perfect time for a quick catch up. Just landed is our latest annual – 46 – put together to highlight all the coffees we have roasted over our last year with added commentaries on a few interesting bits and bobs. The team have done a wonderful job putting this together, and we … Continue reading