Description
Half the crew organizing this coffee in Haiti live right here in Madison, Wi, they are called Singing Rooster. Singing Rooster is a non-profit that brings Haitian products (art, coffee, cocoa and more) direct to consumers and stores with 100% of the proceeds funneling back to the farmers and communities in Haiti.
Sure, its good to feel good about the beans you buy, but something just as important or even more important is the quality of the product itself; the coffee is beautiful, the prep and consistency of the beans is up easily a couple of notches over most coffees. Clean cupping, clean screen with more money getting to the farmers and communities. A win-win in anyone’s book.
Coffee trees thrive in Haiti. Mountains aren’t good for most agriculture, but they’re IDEAL for coffee; coffee trees thrive in moist but well-drained soil at high altitudes. The higher the altitude, the bigger/harder the bean, the better the coffee!
The last 5-10 years has been the rebirth of Haitian coffee. They have resurrected the farms though social co-ops that work very hard to create a premium product to achieve very high dollar values. Which in turn greatly help rebuild the infrastructure while provide excellent jobs and opportunity. Solving the worlds problems one cup at a time.
Not only does honey processing save water for a country who badly needs it, but also honey processed coffees offer sweeter profiles and fuller bodies
Tasting Notes: Much cleaner processing this season which is a perk, a point higher rated, but a little less fruity/wild of a cup. Hints of a red fruit at lighter roasts, especially as the cup cools. A bit fuller bodied and on the sweeter side, balanced with the bakers chocolate like earthiness (a good contrast) found in the other Haitian coffees. Lighter roasts will let the exotic profile shine but be a bit punchy with floral and citric tones, risks a grassy tones if you get too close to first crack. Medium roasts were our favorite, better balance with a pronounced chocolaty darker tone along with the more exotic floral and fruit. Darker roasts touching 2nd crack are far less fruity and hold more true to the Haitian profile, a little floral acidity still comes through the cup but strong and smoky with almost no hint of being a slow dry honey processed.
Roasting Notes: A nice medium roast is the way to go on this bean but somebody liked it at almost every roast during our tastings. Very even roasting compared to last season, still a bit higher chaff but there improved processing has moved this coffee into the easier to roast category.
Trav (verified owner) –
Roasted light/medium. A lot of fruit and acidic notes, smooth, not much smoke or bitter notes. Reminded me a bit of Ethiopia but had its own character. Caribbean really varies. This is worth trying from that locale.