New crop Finca Medina has just arrived, second half June 2009.
Farm profile:Established in 1999, Finca Medina produces less than 1000 bags of coffee per year and is a farm with a social and environmental consciousness. The farm provides for their community through school scholarships and materials for children of farm employees and through donations to a local orphanage, providing 24-hour care to disabled children.
This single plantation is a member of the Rainforest Alliance. 10% of the farm is dedicated forest, regenerated with native species. An intensive environmental program is being conducted throughout the rest of the farm to identify additional opportunities for environmental care of the land. The farm is fully irrigated.
This is Strictly Hard Bean, Genuine Antigua, grown at 4700-5100 feet, 100% washed and sun-dried. Varietals are predominately Bourbon, with some Caturra and Pacas.
Cup Characteristics:Sweet, clean and bright, Medina is a well rounded cup with hints of citrus and berry flavors. Piquant, fruity, refreshing, very lively. It has a medium/heavy body with rich chocolate and molasses notes and a long, winey finish. Clean acidity and lingering mouthfeel.
Roasting Notes: City+ to FC. We recommend a roast approaching second crack bring out some chocolate mouthfeel and retain zesty character and sweetness. These dense, hard beans can also handle darker roasting while still retaining some liveliness but inherent nuance will be sacrificed.
Quantity in Basket: none
Guatemala coffee facts:
Population (2006): 12.3 Million People Coffee Production: 3.93 Million bags (60 kg)Country bag capacity: 150 poundsDomestic Consumption: 1.7 Million bags per yearCoffee Export: 3.8 Million BagsCultivated Area: 250,000 Hectares
Harvest: September to April
Arabica Introduced:Coffee introduced by the Jesuits in the late 18th century and the coffee industry later developed by German immigrants in the mid 19th century.
Farms: Approximately 65,000
Specialty Coffee Regions: Antigua, Coban, Atitlan, Huehuetenango, Fraijanes, San Marcos
Botanical Varietals:Arabigo, Bourbon, Typica, Catura, Catuai, Catimur, Maragogype, RobustaArabigo, Bourbon, Typica, Catura, Catuai, Catimur, Maragogype, Robusta
Comments
This relatively small country produces some of the world's top coffees and offers a variety of coffee experiences. Each region has distinct taste profiles, each of which is enhanced, as always, by the care and attention brought by the farm in growing methodology.
There are more than 60,000 small coffee farms in Guatemala with over 30% of the population engaged in the coffee industry.
