Costa Rica Harmony Red Honey Catuai

The first new crop specialty coffees from Costa Rica will start to arrive in the coming months, but this coffee, from the current crop is our first time offering from the Harmony Micromill.  The coffee is still cupping very well, as it has been stored in Grainpro lined bags.

Producer Guillermo Adolfo Fallas Mata grows his prized Catuai high up in the mountains of Tarrazu, between 1750 and 1850 meters. Several years ago he decided to purchase his own Micro milling machine, also known as a demucilage machine, motivated to have complete control over the outcome of the coffee he grows. Don Guillermo was motivated by his brother Juan de Farami, who recommended that he could put his own Micro Mill to add value to his coffee and help his family, but he also provides milling service to some of his neighbors as well.

The Tarrazu region has extremely mountainous terrain, high elevations and some of the best growing conditions for coffee in Central America.

The coffee varietal is Catuai, which along with Caturra, grow particularly well in this area. Honey processing involves removal of the coffee cherry's outer skin, its pulp. What remains is the fruit's mucilage, of which the micromill shaves off just a tiny amount. As the remaining fruit dries, the mucilage turns to a reddish color.  The sweetness of the drying fruit pulp passes through to the coffee seeds, aka the beans.

Of note, we purchased this coffee in Grainpro bags so they have and will continue to be protected from moisture, taste and external odors. This will optimize the coffee's flavors and keep the coffee at its peak longer.

• Producer: Guillermo Adolfo Fallas Mata
• Farm: Harmony Farm
• Region: Tarrazu
• Micro region: Santa Maria
  
• Altitude: 1750 - 1850 meters / about 6,000 feet
• Varietal: Catuai
• Processing: Red Honey
• Drying: Patio and raised beds
  

Guillermo tending to his Red Honey Catuai

Pictured on the side are the Fallas Mata family; and the micromill now owned by Guillermo.

Cup Characteristics: This lovely coffee has notable flavor of melon, partially from the native fruit combined with red honey processing; it is very sweet. The finish is dry and was almost puckery when we cupped it initially, pre shipment from Costa Rica. Now that the coffee is here, it has had some time for the finish to soften and the flavors round out.  Long aftertaste. An elegant coffee with concentrated flavors, in part due to growing at high elevation.