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APRIL UPDATE | Lots of laughs at SCAA this year - special thanks to those who stopped by the Hacienda to hang out with us. Outside of Atlanta the world kept turning with fresh arrivals hitting our shores from Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Sumatra.
So yes, our cupping lab has been busy. But distracted too since, they got our first custom designed Arc Roaster in-store. Our goal is to offer a mid-range equipment option for professional profiling, and getting to this particular unit has been a long and educational process. Those of you near NYC should stop in to the showroom for a test drive; we are looking for feedback, and would love to show off all the bells and whistles of a beautifully crafted roaster.
Finally, we have a short break in our travel calendar. Our next trip is not until Kenya and Tanzania in early June. If you're looking at forward offers in either origin then email ben@croptocup.com so he can go shopping for you. Following is Papua New Guinea in July.
IN-STORE You guys, Burundi. After much lot separation and blending (yes, blending), we now have a full line-up of intentional offers. You'll remember coffee from the Buhorwa Washing Station (WS) , and its surrounding Rubiziri Farmers Group (FG). We also have a first-year import for Crop to Cup from the Kiryama Washing Station (WS). All are in-store at Continental Terminals. These Burundis make a great S/O offer, with big, bright malic acids and red fruit notes. They'll also punch up an espresso. Our favorite way to enjoy them, though, is as on iced pour-over.
In other news we are just now stepping back from the cupping table after approving our latest Tanzanian line-up. The headliners are fresh arrivals from the Mwalyego Cooperative near Mbeya: expressive melon and light apricot acidity. We also began working with the Mbozi Estate who produces a beautiful Kamaro AA. This was a special 19 bag selection that we're excited to have in-store: big, deep, dark fruits - that elusive winey profile that put Southern Tanzania on the specialty map. Rounding out our Tanzanian imports is a peaberry from the Northwest: Kigoma - on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, a world away from the Southern region coffees. The Kigoma PB has solid structure and bright acidity.
If you've made it this far into the newsletter you deserve to rewards yourself with samples of these fresh arrivals; they won't last long.
While requesting samples, if you have room for a featurette coffee, check out a few of the RnD micro-lots from the world-famous Wahana Estate. An impressive operation, with coffees that you won't find anywhere else in Indonesia. We especially liked the Rasuna Varietals, so we brought in a few bags both of their Wet-Hulled, and Honey Processed lots. If you love Sumatrans, or are curious to taste the best stuff coming out, give these a try.
Lastly, we received some RnD coffees of our own on a new container from Western Uganda. Kika Coop produces a natural-process coffee with a really round cup and nice touch of coffee cherry. It's a unique natural completely in its own profile category. Again, it's summer so we are thinking espresso component and iced coffees. If you consider yourself adventurous, or simply a pragmatist, we can point you to our Single Estate Uganda Specialty Robusta, which arrived on the same box. If you haven't tried 10% in your espresso or iced coffee blend, well, this is the Robusta you should use for that experiment.
UPCOMING April will bring may new imports, including the award-winning natural Ethiopian from Kossa Geshe which is in high demand. If you want to reserve bags please get in touch within the week. We also have a new Decaf arriving - the result of a lot of work. For our Smallholder Select SW Decaf we blended top-scoring Central American microlots and took it to Swiss Water. The result is a classy and tasty decaf. Uganda Bukonzo FTO just arrived at the New York port. Bukonzo pre-ships were stellar (sweet w/ orange, grapefruit acidity) so we're excited to see what the second import from this coop has in store for us - this will be an FTO offer for folks needing certs.
If you would like to secure inventory and price on any of these lots before they arrive, please be in touch. We are happy to hold inventory for you SAS NANS.
THANK YOU for informing and supporting our efforts, and for reading an email when there are so many more begging for your attention. If we can return the favor in any way just let us know.
- Taylor, Jake, Dan, Ben, Maya and Freddie
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THIS JUST IN | Get in touch for samples
Tanzania Mwalyego // 194 bags // Lime sherbet, stonefruits, almond, light body
Tanzania Kamaro // 19 bags // Raisins, melon, blueberry
Tanzania Kigoma PB // 41 bags // Molasses, oak, lemongrass
Congo Buhoyo Mwise // 66 bags // Lime-grapefruit acidity, plum butterscotch, vanilla finish
Congo Hutwe Bukununu // 71 bags // Sweet cocoa, praline & vanilla, cola, caramel-cookie sweetness.
Burundi Bukeye Rubiziri Select // 8 bags // orange & melon acidity, candied currants, cocoa
Burundi Bukeye Rubiziri FG // 81 bags // Cola, lemon peel, melon rind, honeyed finish
Burundi Buhorwa WS // 135 bags // Caramel, lemon acidity, sweet cup
Burundi Bukeye Nyarucamo Select // 24 bags // Honey & peach aroma, lemon meringue acidity, tea
Burundi Kinyovu Rango // 20 bags // Lime acidity balanced by complex fruits, dark cherry sweetness.
Burundi Kiryama Ruvubu // 303 bags // Macintosh apple, juicy body and plum sweetness
PNG Kange Cooperative, Talu Wetmill // 198 bags // Complex, Lemon / green apple acidity, spice, plum
PNG Lufawa Cooperative, Chimbu Region // 14 bags // Thin, buttery, cookie sweetness, cocoa
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SELECT SPOTS | These are coffees that are scoring 85 + on our cupping tables.
Sumatra Wahana Estate Honey Process // 5 bags // Sweet meyer lemon, yellow raisin, piont noir
Sumatra Wahana Estate Rusuna Wet-Hull // 4 bags // plum, cranberry, tomato, honey, heavy body
Kenya Wamaguma // 3 bags // Lemon Cookie, Butter, Crisp, Mint
Uganda Bulaago AA, Mt. Elgon // 14 bags // raisin, cardamom, graham cracker
Ethiopia Yirg 1 Kochere 'Bajaj' // 12 bags // sweet, honeyed, tangerine, dreamsicle
Congo Buhoyo Mwise // 66 bags // Lime-grapefruit acidity, plum butterscotch, vanilla finish
Sumatra Lintong Batak Nauli // 128 bags // Fennel, bright melon acid, layered sweetness
PNG Kange Coop, Talu Wetmill // 198 bags // Complex, Lemon / green apple acidity, spice, plum
Burundi Kiryama Ruvubu // 303 bags // Macintosh apple, juicy body and plum sweetness
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Good coffee comes from good people. We believe that everyone - the farmer, exporter, importer, roaster and barista - adds value to the final experience. We believe that the best way to get the best coffee is to invest in the people who help to make coffee special. We believe in the power of relationships. We believe that coffee builds relationships, and that trade with meaning can educate your customers and engage your staff. We believe that roasters and farmers both want the same out of their coffee, and that we all win by being the best customers we can be to the best farmers we can find. Read more about why we do what we do and tell us what you believe. www.croptocup.com /aboutus
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