from Andrew,

this is my first post on the blog, so there is a LOT of information to cover. I hope to touch on all the information and eventually expand on each subject, if necessary. First we have a few coffees that are in production which I would like to note (Papua New Guinea and FTO Peru Norte); new coffee we have received Kenya, Costa Rica and Tanzania PB, which are great coffees for this year which are soon to come; and last but not least Cup Of Excellence which is a very exciting auction system that we will be talking about quite frequently.

Papua New Guinea - Kimel Estate - an amazing taste experience, the acidity is reminiscent of a savory tomato sauce , like grandma would make, followed with a chocolate-spice dessert-like aftertaste - some have likened it to having a steak dinner - this is truly an exceptional coffee. The Kimel Estate is located in the Western Highlands in the Wahgi Valley 50K south of Mount Hagen along the Kimel River. It is grown at an elevation of 5200 ft above sea level and includes varieties such as Mondonovo, Blue Mountain, Typica, Catura and Catimor. The estate houses a permanent workforce of 432 which and provides schooling and medical facilities to the workers and their dependents. The estate also implements eco-friendly policies such as recycling the water used during wet processing to reduce pollution and reusing the pulp as fertilizer. If you have not tried this coffee, stop by for a Friday cupping and we will set it up for you or request it on your next order.

FTO Peru Norte is a substitute for the La Florida and has very similar taste characteristics: smooth, sweet and full bodied. This is also great as a single origin espresso, so throw it in your espresso grinder and give it a shot.

NEW COFFEES

Kenya AA Mirundi, we cupped many different coffees from this year crop and have selected this Micro-lot. This lot consisted of only 30 bags so it will probably only last us until Nov. or Dec. when the fly-crop becomes available then we will select another. My cupping notes from the selection cupping suggest distinct dark berry notes and great full body. More cupping notes will come as we sample roast and learn more about the coffee.

Costa Rica SHB San Bosco, I have a personal connection with this particular Coop since it was the first coffee farm and mill I visited on the occasion of my honeymoon. But don't worry this it did not cloud our ability to select a great Costa.

Coop: CoopLibertad
Region: Central Valley (Heredia)
Varieties/ Cultivars: 92% Caturra and Catuai; and 8% Bourbon
Altitude: 4260 ft above sea level
Cup qualities: Chocolate aroma, balanced body and acidity

Their is a lot to be said about this coop, Cooplibertad processes all the water from wet processing using an anaerobic reactor, this purifies the water but it also produces methane gas as a result of the bacteria used in the process. This, among other things, has garnered the Coop much recognition from Costa Rican environmental agencies.

Tanzania Selian PB - Burka Estate

Region: Near Arusha, in the Arumeru District on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru
Varieties: Kent, Bourbon, SL
Altitude: 4800 ft.
Cup qualities: Bright citrus, complex and full body (these are initial notes, more to come as we get to know this coffee, stop by for a Friday cupping!)

This is yet another Estate that is dedicated to the social, medical and educational needs of their permanent staff (ranging from 200-400 workers, more during harvest). Burka Estate also attempts to respect the religious lives of Christian, Muslims and Hindus by providing places of worship for workers.

Now for Cup of Excellence (COE). We have samples of 34 coffees all for the COE Nicaragua auction and have selected a lot in which we hope to receive a couple bags. The best part about this auction is that all the coffees are great. Some are more notable than others, but we cupped all the coffees blind and in random order and found coffees that were very notable although not in the top ten (selected by the International Jury). The auction is today and we will soon know the results.

there is much more to come as thing develop...