Edwin Norena - Carbonic Macerated Black Honey Gesha - 120g

*These coffees are extremely limited and may be delayed in roasting until I have enough confirmed orders to sell. These greens have been frozen at peak freshness and I cannot risk integrity of the coffee until orders are confirmed*

Edwin Norena has been pushing the boundaries of coffee both in process and terroir at his farm, Campo Hermoso, for years. This coffee is no exception and a beautiful representation of both elements.

This gesha variety begins with a 24 hour natural fermentation, softening the cherry and priming the seeds to take on flavor over the next several days. After this initial fermentation, coffee cherry is moved into sealed tanks and carbonic macerated for 72 hours amplifying floral and fruity characteristics inherent to gesha. 

A byproduct of thick, sugary liquid called Mossto is created through the pressurized carbonic maceration. Edwin reserves this liquid, inoculates it with a brewer's yeast and recombines it with the coffee cherries in smaller fermentation tanks. The coffee is then sealed and carbonic macerated for another 72 hours imparting lightning acidity and dense but clean tropical fruit flavors. 

After this second carbonic maceration the coffee is depulped, leaving most of the mucilage intact and finished on raised beds for 10 days. This allows the coffee to absorb complex compounds created in the fruit of the cherry, imparting sweetness and body, keeping the cup profile in balance.

All in all, this is a beautiful expression of ingenuity and terroir. We taste:
When hot, dried roses, hibiscus and chamomile notes pop out of the brew combined with a sweetness of warm honey and honeysuckle. First sip greets you with intense hibiscus, rose milk tea and fresh raspberry. As the cup cools, this transforms into fresh pineapple, cherimoya and turkish delight. As the cup hits cold expect sweetened earl grey tea, rose milk tea resurfacing and cara cara orange.

This is a beautiful coffee, my favorite coffee I've ever tried and it is a pleasure to share this with all of you. You may be unsurprised to learn that this very coffee is a huge inspiration for Love Letters branding, colors and vibe. I love this coffee beyond believe and I am so excited to share it with you.