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El Limoncillo, Red Catuai, Washed
El Limoncillo, Red Catuai, Washed
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A classic all day drinking coffee from the heart of Central America
The Mierisch family are some of the most capable, committed and consistent producers in the world, with multiple farms having won cup of excellence competitions across the past twenty years. This coffee delivers the classic sweet and balanced profile that reminds me of the many years I've been able to work with them
Producer: Mierisch family
Variety: Red Catuai
Location: Yasica Norte, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Process: Washed
+ Broader Context
I first worked with Limoncillo and the Mierisch family coffees when I started working at Hasbean in 2010 and their coffees were foundational to building our direct-trade systems, and the blends and micro-lots that shaped our offering. Being able to launch Ithaka with some of their coffees is a real privilege.
The family operate 11 farms in Nicaragua, of which Limoncillo is the largest, as well as 3 in neighbouring Honduras. Limoncillo placed second in the Cup of Excellence in 2008, allowing Steve to buy that coffee through the auction and then build a longer term relationship. Their competition success has continued across the years, most recently achieving 1st place with a washed geisha in the 2019 Honduran auction, and indeed they run a successful auction program of micro-lots from across the full range of farms.
The farm is located in the Matagalpa region of Nicaragua and is 171 hectares in size, with 109 hectares used for coffee cultivation. The remainder is used to raise cattle and horses, and left to natural woodland. The farm have an incredibly established set of working policies and initiatives to drive both environmental and social sustainability,
The family employ over 3000 staff during the harvest, and over 60 families live on the farm full time. They pay their staff 30% more than the local minimum wage, as well as providing free housing for the families on their farms, as well as food, healthcare, childcare facilities and education for all workers and their families.
This is our second coffee from Limoncillo this year, after our first lot from Steve and the team at Drop flew out through our ws clients. This lot is a Red Catuai, that Roland and the Ozone team secured for me.
+ Roast & Brewing Information
I'd class this as a medium roast, it's coming into 1st crack a little hotter/slower than some of our other coffees, but has great acidity and a clean finish. This coffee is a great all day drinking filter brew with strong brown sugar, caramel and milk chocolate notes and a gentle acidity. As espresso you'll find a little more red apple acidity and an elegant shot, that might not power through milk as well as a heavier coffee.
Espresso 18:40g 26s
Filter 24:400g 3:30s
YMMV!
We’re still working out the peak rest time on our coffees, with a stable and delicious balance seeming to come in around 18days onwards
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