Description
A wonderful new crop natural processed bean. These beans do have a slight fruitiness to them but it would be considered very mild for a natural processed. A good choice for any coffee fan.
The region of Ayarza is a special one, landmarked by the drastic landscape and cold blue water from the Laguna de Ayarza and Laguna Azul. The lake was formed by two massive volcanos that collapsed and formed a large crater. The legends surrounding this lake are numerous like te one that says the bottom has never been found. There is a large white rock that resembles a petrified woman who didn’t follow the orders of Jesus. In short, there are simply too many good stories about Ayarza to do it justice!
This natural was created by our buddies over at Covoya Coffee, who runs a couple mills throughout Guatemala. They purchase prime cherry from the local small holders and have the processing expertise to create wonderful high rated lots consistently. Producing a quality natural is no easy task. Four years ago they started by renting a wet mill at 1,500 meters on a RFA certified farm. The quality coming from the washed coffee was much better than they expected. So they moved onto producing top grade naturals. Natural coffees under the Blue Ayarza name, mark the best cherries from small holders in the region delivered to their mill, often in their own pickup trucks.
Tasting Notes: A solid cup from light to dark, but for most drinking, a medium roast will be the way to go. Sweet with just a pinch of citric upfront, medium bodied, good mouthfeel, just a pinch of fruitiness and ends with a nice malty undertone. Lighter roast get a bit brighter and slightly more fruity but can risk a little grassy, medium roasts present great balance to the flavors and was very easy drinking, darker roasts retain a lot of sweetness and hefty malty tones, but will get pretty roasty/smoky.
If drinking for drip or pour-over, medium roasts are where to go. If using for blending, espresso or cold brew, light or dark roasts can produce some really tasty results.
Roasting Notes: A bit higher chaff bean but even roasting for a natural, great prep all in all. Error a little lighter than darker on this bean, just a little development past first crack makes a real tasty treat. A short setup works well with this bean, pops the fruit notes right out but if a little too sharp, set it aside for a couple days before drinking.
Jeston Hopper (verified owner) –
Love Ethiopian naturals and burman coffee never fails to deliver. So when I saw they had this Guatemalan natural I had to try it. I did a city + roast and boom! Tasting notes spot on, its floral, sweet, red fruit with a malty tone. Cup is well balanced and tasty. Finish reminds me of a traditional guat. Toffee, Carmel chocolate. Please keep this one in stock! Don’t sleep on it!!!