North Star • Limited Release Holiday Roast

Roast Level • Medium
Sugar Plums • Figgy Pudding • Gingerbread

Blend: Kenya & Guatemala
Regions: Kirinyaga & Huehuetenango
Elevation: 1500 - 1600 masl
Variety: Mix
Process: Washed

FARMERS

In Kirinyaga Kenya the coffee production is a communal endeavor. Smallholder farmers deliver their daily harvest to the central washing station. It is here where the village converges to work together and make these coffees really shine. Glacier streams from the snow capped peak of Mount Kenya feed the region with cool temps and fresh water for processing. The cherries undergo processing to remove the skin and pulp. Wastewater is discarded in soaking pits, then recirculated for conservation. A fermented step performed in tanks breaks down the mucilage and sugars. The coffee is then washed and soaked for a secondary cleaning before drying on raised beds. 

In Huehuetenango Guatemala, at Finca San Rafael, Don Gerson’s coffees are processed along with 6 of his neighbors’ coffees to form a community lot. This inclusive effort facilitated by Don Gerson benefits the whole community. Located in the remote, high-altitude region of Hoja Blanca, Huehuetenango, these farms are known for producing exceptional coffee. The trick is getting it out and to the right buyers. Our importer connected with Don Gerson in person during the past harvest cycle so the pieces are coming together for everyone involved!

ROASTERS

We wanted to put together two really special coffees for our Holiday Blend limited release. Kenya coffees immediately came to mind when thinking of the holiday flavors we wanted to highlight, specifically Kirinyaga Kenyas that can express some really jammy, sweet, dense red fruits and highly acidic cup profiles. These coffees are not cheap, in fact they are close to double the price we pay for our signature series coffees. The reason for that is a high demand for the top scoring lots and the auction system that is unique to Kenya. 

We selected the Guatemala Hoja Blanca coffee because it is also a super special and top scoring Guatemala coffee that would bring to the cup a nice balance of flavors that also touch on some nice holiday notes like gingerbread, fig, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. We cupped through quite a number of Guatemala coffees this season, and outside of a washed Geisha (also from Don Gerson’s farm), this community lot was the top scoring coffee. 

COFFEE LOVERS

This coffee leans towards the coffee lover who puts extra thought and time into their brewing routine. We are thinking of that person who uses the right water (filtered, clean tasting), clean brewing equipment, a scale to achieve the right ratio, and a grinder for freshness. That said, this  coffee will be solid brewed in any way! While this coffee will have higher acidity than most medium roasts, it won’t be overwhelming. There will be fruity and comforting flavors combined nicely. We hope you enjoy this while it lasts this Holiday season!