Tag Archive for: Costa Rica

The honey process, explained

Have you noticed coffee has changed? Coffee has changed…specifically, the way the coffee has been processed at the farm/micro-mill.

Coffee has traditionally been processed one of two ways, washed process or natural process. Both provide unique flavor profiles.

When clean water is abundant coffee producers may use a washed process to separate the fruit from the coffee bean.

Where water is lacking, a producer would use the natural process and allow the coffee to dry under the sun naturally.

Times have changed due to innovations in processing equipment at the farm and coffee roaster’s request.

Costa Rica has led the innovation by combining elements of the washed and dry processes. This new process is called the honey process. By adjusting equipment such as depulpers at the mill, producers can choose how much fruit they want to remove off the coffee bean. These changes can also impact the way the coffee tastes once it’s been brewed.

Many ask if honey is used in the honey process. The answer is no. The name “honey process” comes from the honey-like fragrance (called “miel” in Spanish) of the fruit drying on the coffee bean.

We are pleased to offer three outstanding honey processed coffees:

  • White honey: most of the fruit is removed off the coffee bean. White honey processed coffees may be described as lighter and brighter. (Example: Costa Rica Finca Dragon)
  • Red honey: about half the coffee fruit remains on the coffee bean throughout the drying process. Red honey coffees will have more body compared to the white honey, and you may notice fruitier notes when you brew your coffee. (Example: Costa Rica Pie San)
  • Black honey: the coffee cherry is peeled but the fruit remains on the coffee beans. Depending on weather condition, it can take 7-14 days for the fruit to dehydrate off the coffee bean. Since the bean is absorbing sugars during this time the coffee will be full bodied, complex and with natural sweetness. (Example: Costa Rica Finca las Torres)

These honey processed coffees are available at the Red Cedar Coffee Co. retail store and online at RedCedarCoffee.com.

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Meet the Coffee Producer Recap: Finca las Torres

On Saturday, September 9, 2017, Red Cedar Coffee Co. welcomed Esteban and Luis Ureña from Rivense del Chirripó in Costa Rica. This was part of Red Cedar Coffee Co.’s 12th Anniversary Celebration. The Ureña family owns a micro-mill along with five coffee farms.

For the last couple years, Red Cedar Coffee Co. has purchased coffee directly from their farm, Finca las Torres. Each February Anne visits this farm and micro mill for harvest and the coffee selection process.

Red Cedar Coffee Co. invited Esteban and Luis to the coffee roastery and launch of their coffee at the Anniversary Party. Not often are coffee producers able to see what happens to their coffee after it has left the farm.  It was an exciting visit for Esteban and Luis as it was their first time leaving Costa Rica.

To give a sense of coffee in Costa Rica, most coffee is consumed at home or in small cafeterías (coffee shops). By Costa Rican law, 2% of export grade coffee must be held in country for domestic consumption. Most coffee consumed in country is what the coffee industry calls second or third quality coffee, and most of this coffee is roasted dark or with sugar. This means no coffee is wasted from harvest.

The Ureña family is innovative compared to many other Costa Rican producers. They own their own micro mill which means they can insure their coffee is of highest quality. They have a coffee roaster for sampling their harvest. The family drinks the coffee they grow every day. They cup their coffee harvest which is how coffee professionals evaluate the crop, processes and pre-export evaluation. This visit to Red Cedar Coffee Co. was an opportunity for them to see the other end of the supply chain and to interact with our retail and wholesale customers.

Esteban and Luis learned a lot about the US coffee market during their stay with Red Cedar Coffee Co. Cooking with coffee and crafting coffee infused beverages were new ideas. The opportunity to spend time with a wholesale coffee roaster (Red Cedar Coffee Co.) also provided additional insight into the US coffee market. They also had a chance to sightsee Cleveland.

We would like to thank everyone who came to our Anniversary event and who made Esteban and Luis feel at home.

  

 

 

 

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Costa Rica Harvest 2017

In February, Anne visited our direct trade partners in Costa Rica during harvest. This year’s visit was special for Anne as she spent time at Finca las Torres in the Chirripó region of southern Costa Rica and participated in the harvesting and processing of the same coffee that will be in our Tasting Room this fall.

Finca las Torres is located about four hours south of San Jose off the Inter-American Highway. ICAFE, Costa Rica’s Coffee Institute, has designated this coffee production region as Brunca. This area is more accurately defined however as the Chirripó micro region. Here the coffee is grown at high elevation (around 1500-2000 meters) and has a distinctly different flavor in the cup when compared to the low elevation production in the Brunca region.

Anne worked at the micro-mill during the morning with Régulo and Luis. The coffee which was drying was carefully raked on the raised African beds. Coffee which had been drying on the patio was then collected into Grain-Pro bags to continue the drying process.

The activities in the afternoon centered on the farm. Coffee that is picked during the morning is collected by mid-afternoon. The coffee is measured and each picker’s yield is recorded. By late afternoon the coffee cherries are brought to the micro mill.

During the evening the coffee cherry is de-pulped and laid onto raised African style beds. Café Rivense del Chirripó micro mill specializes in honey processed coffees. The coffee skin is removed during the de-pulping process but the fruit remains on the bean. The idea is to have the honey dehydrate on the bean—the honey must hold onto the coffee bean—which will mean the cup of coffee will have more sweetness.

The balance of the trip was spent at farms in Tarrazu, Central and West Valley. Anne cupped coffees at the farms and arranged for Red Cedar Coffee Co. to bring fantastic coffees to your table.

Anne with the Ureña family

Measuring the coffee harvest

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La Lia Finca Dragon

Have you had a chance to try our new Direct Trade coffee, Costa Rica La Lia Finca Dragon? This exceptional coffee comes from the award winning farm of Finca Dragon. This micro lot is exclusive to Red Cedar Coffee Co.

Finca Dragon is located at 1800 meters in Santa Rosa in León Cortés, about a 2 ½ hour drive from San Jose in the Tarrazú region. Luis Alberto Monge is the producer and owner of the farm and micromill. The micromill, named La Lia after Luis’ mother, was built in 2007. By owning a micromill the family can separate the coffee varietals and process the coffee using various methods. Most importantly, the micromill allows Luis to ensure that his coffee is being processed carefully and at the highest attention to detail.

 

The coffee varietal is red catuai and our coffee has been processed using the honey (miel) process. After the coffee has been processed the coffee is sun dried. The micromill has raised African beds along with patios for drying.

Check out our video to learn more about our Direct Trade relationship with Finca Dragon.

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