Sweet Thing – Limited Holiday Coffee

Rutuma – Kenya
Country: Kenya
Region: Nyeri
Cooperative: Rutuma
Variety: SL-28, SL-34, Batian, Ruiru 11
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1,800 MASL

The Rutuma Cooperative Society operates several factories around the southern slopes of Mount Kenya, with Ruthagati being one of them. Smallholder famers who deliver ripe cherries to the Ruthagathi factory typically grow SL-28, SL-34, Batian, and Ruiru 11 varieties. The rich volcanic soil in this area provides an abundance of nutrients to the coffee trees, which contributes complex, juicy flavours to the final cup. During harvest, smallholders in the area deliver ripe cherries to the factory. Here, the team sorts the cherries and removes the skin and pulp using a traditional depulper before they undergo a period of overnight fermentation. Fresh water from the Keremia stream is then used to wash the coffees before drying. In the final step, the coffees are placed on raised beds under the sun where they are constantly being sorted and rotated during the drying process. The resulting flavour in this cup is clean, juicy, and sweet.

Volcan Azul – Costa Rica
Country: Costa Rica
Region: West Valley
Farm: Volcan Azul
Variety: H1
Process: Natural
Altitude: 1,500 MASL

We have brought in many coffee’s from Alejo Castro & his family at Volcan Azul, and we are always incredibly pleased with the quality and flavour. Alejo Castro is the fifth-generation descendant of renowned coffee pioneers Alejo C. Jimenez and Wilhelm Kahle. Alejo’s ancestors planted some of the first specialty coffee plantations in the early 1900s, intending to produce the best coffee in the world. With over 200 years of family tradition in trading specialty coffee, Alejo’s mission for the farm has been focused on improving coffee quality while positively impacting the environment. The highly fertile volcanic soil and the mill’s impeccable processing methods have produced a history of award- winning coffees in Costa Rica. This coffee from Volcan Azul has a balanced profile with juicy fruit flavours and high sweetness.