Just waiting to be roasted.....

So far, since beginning this, probably one of my top five favorite hobbies ever, I've roasted beans from Columbia, Peru, and Honduras.  So far, out of the three, the Peruvian beans are the ones I like the best.  When roasted just to the beginning moments of second crack, they reveal a taste that has a velvety chocolate fullness.  On the other hand, the Honduran beans when roasted to the same point presented a lighter touch with caramel hints.  As I grow in experience, my goal is to get to know beans from a variety of regions.  So, this week I placed an order for five pounds apiece of both Guatamalan and Brazilian beans, and they arrived today.  Can't wait to open the burlap bags and measure out my first batch for the roaster tomorrow.  So, here's what's available for this week:

3 bags of Honduran beans
5 bags of Guatamalan beans
5 bags of Brazilian beans

Let's talk about where these beans are coming from.  Coffee roasting is an incredibly holistic learning experience.  It reminds me of the lesson plan templates I would fill out in my education classes twenty years ago....I can easily identify learning experiences throughout this process that tap into all of our senses and individual learning styles.  Just as actually sewing only comes after a whole slew of other decisions and actions, the act of roasting those beans comes near the end of a chain that begins with......research that guides each succeeding step to that cup that warms the hand and the heart.

In choosing where to purchase my beans, I want to know more than the general region of the world.  I want to know as much as I can about the people who are involved in the process of growing, harvesting, and marketing.  I want to know what kinds of certifications and standards these folks have for their coffee plants. 

Here's the rundown on the beans available this week:

These Honduran beans are Rainforest Alliance certified.  They are strictly high altitude beans, shade grown and hand picked at elevations 1,300-1,600 meters above sea level.  They come from the Beneficio De Santa Rosa farm.  They roast to give hints of bakers chocolate, nutmeg, and caramel.  This coffee is pleasant without being in-your-face about it.  To learn more about the Beneficio De Santa Rosa farm operation, check out this link.

What do I know about the Guatamalan beans?  Well, I have not roasted them yet, but I am looking forward to seeing if I agree with the descriptions I've read.   Cupping notes include dark chocolate, butter, cinnamon, toasted nuts, raisins, lemon.  Bright with a lasting sweetness.  Now, before you put the sugar bowl up, understand that sweetness is a relative concept when it comes to coffee, and, as much as I enjoy it, I enjoy it all a lot more with a little sugar.  These Guatamalan beans come from the Finca Nueva Granada farm, are grown at 1,800 meters, and have the Rainforest Alliance certification.  You really need to check out the Finca Nueva Granada operation at the link here--think on-site schooling and an emphasis on sustainable practices. 

Let's get to those Brazilian beans.  I chose to try these out because my favorite coffee before I began learning to roast was the Brazilian Cerrado whole bean from Plantation Coffee Company out of Mooringsport, Louisiana.  Talk about a cool operation along the shores of Caddo Lake!  Our family was able to tour their facilities several years ago, and I think that is probably when the seed of my own roasting adventure began.  This company roasts coffee right, and seeing their dedication to that was infectious!  Anyway, that's why I bought these Brazilian beans--they seem like a good bet to me based on my own experience as a coffee consumer.  They come from the Fazenda Santa Rosa operation and are grown at a lower altitude than the others I have, at 800 meters.  They are Rainforest Alliance Certified.  Nutty hints and a full bodied flavor all-around without overpowering.

There you have it!  In my next post, I'll share some information about some coffee roasting terms and techniques!  By the way, if you would like to purchase my coffee, email me at shadrobyn@gmail.com or you can reply to my Facebook post to let me know what you want, and I'll get it roasted.  It's $7.50 for 14 oz.  Per Texas cottage food sales laws, I can't do online sales, just promotion.  Actual sales have to be in person.