Bolivian Premium – Apolo – Chirimayo Indigenous Community- Cafe Kreyol

Description

Bolivian coffee has had quite the struggle the last couple of years. Economic issues alongside coffee disease created a whirlwind of problems for the coffee growers. Many abandoned their trees and moved on to other crops or work. Finally Bolivia coffee is back! Over the last couple of years new plantings along with co-ops spreading more strains through memberships have revitalized the industry. This particular lot stems from our buddy Joey, head of Cafe Kreyol. Joey has been working directly with the indigenous community in Apolo for about 6 years now and the coffee has come a long ways. A very top notch and beautiful offering of Bolivian coffee.

Elevation: 1700 m above sea level
Varietal: Castillo, Typica

Tasting Notes: A very nicely balanced cup of coffee. A little hint of acidity upfront providing some floral and soft fruit at the lighter roasts, balanced with a semi-sweet nutty chocolaty factor. Super light roasts risk a little grassy/herbal but it straightens out at a city+ (medium) and holds up as dark as you want to take it. The darker you go, the more body and edgy chocolate the cup will pick up, once you hit 2nd crack, expect some smoke and roasty tones to compliment the nutty/chocolaty factor.

Roasting Notes: Avoid super light roasts, shines from a city plus to full city roast but also tasty at the dark roast points. If shooting for a lighter roast point, good to drag the roast out a bit. Being a microlot it will roast a little two toned, just make sure the beans on the lighter spectrum get a little development past first crack.

This cooperative is comprised of all indigenous people, that are native to the land on the edge of the Andes mountains, and bordering the rainforest and jungle of the Amazon. The land next to their farms is government protected land, and the indigenous groups have decided to treat their land as if it were protected as well. Most of which have already been certified Smithsonian Bird Friendly.

Cafe Kreyol was connected to these groups through FECAFEB, who is a female owned not for profit located in La Paz. FECAFEB has the goal of increasing the quality of Bolivian coffee overall, and connecting suppliers to buyers throughout the world. FECAFEB has organized and managed competitions in Bolivia, such as the  Presidential Cup of Excellence. Cafe Kreyol had the honor of serving on the international jury for that event in 2016 and 2018.