Coffee Ranking: the world’s 12th largest coffee producer, 2% of the world’s yearly coffee harvest | Varieties of coffee: Arabica – Robusta is forbidden

Characteristics:
Washed Arabica coffee, “strictly hard bean”; producers: Cooperativa de Prod. de Cafe y Servicios Multiples de San Vito R.L. – San Vito de Java, Coto Brus, Puntarenas, and Cooperativa de Caficultores de Sabalito – Sabalito, San Vito de Coto Brus, Puntaneras; yearly harvest, from December to May; European method of preparation

*Appraisal/Assessment: *
Very good complex coffee, slightly acid, quite intense

Presence in our blends:
Café Supremo Max Havelaar , Café Excelso Max Havelaar , Moka , Café Fantasia Max Havelaar.

Comments:
Costa Rican coffee ranks among the best coffee in the world. Its quality depends on the altitude and nature of the soil, volcanic ground being the best for coffee. These varieties of coffee have strong acidity. The origins of coffee Bella Vista, Tres Volcanes, Santiago, Tarrazu are vintage harvests with a full-bodied, fragrant aroma and smooth aftertaste. Juan Vinas and Monte Bello are varieties of lesser quality.

Coffee Ranking: the world’s 7th largest coffee producer, agriculture (coffee, sugar, bananas) employs half the active population and represents a quarter of the GDP or two-thirds of exportation. Variety of coffee: Arabica, a small production of Washed Robusta on the Pacific

Characteristics:
Washed Arabica Coffee : “strictly hard bean” coffee; coffee plantations higher than 1200 meters of the FEDECOCAGUA, Feder. de Coope. Agríc. de Produc. de Café de Guatemala R.L., Ciudad de Guatemala; yearly harvest

Appraisal/Assessment:
“Strictly hard bean” is among the best coffee in the world : full taste, intense, acid, an aromatic cup

Presence in our blends:
Café Supremo Max Havelaar , Café Excelso Max Havelaar.

Comments:
Guatemalan coffee plantations are found on volcanic hills between 700 and 1700 meters. That is to say, the quality of the coffee depends on the climate, which is determined by the altitude. The best coffee is found at high altitudes, above 1200 meters. The varieties of Bourbon and Typica coffee are found there, as well as the best big bean maragogypes of a magnificent matt blue colour. While coffee grown at 1200m is lighter and more aromatic, its acidity increases with altitude, which provides a more robust, fruity aftertaste. The Antigua, Strictly Hard Bean harvest is, according to the description(1500-1600m in altitude), a high altitude coffee. San Cristobal coffee, Antigua Loso Azul on the Atlantic coast, the San Cristobal, Antigua Loso Azul with its large blue beans cultivated at 1500m on volcanic ash is fragrant, acid and robust. It is one of the best varieties of coffee in the world, similar to the Blue Volcan of Guatemala which comes from small family-owned plantations above 1500m in altitude. The Guatemala Caracoli is a curiously special coffee, with its abnormally round coffee beans. The harvested coffee cherries contain only one bean instead of the usual two.

Coffee Ranking : the world’s 8th largest coffee producer , 3% of the world’s yearly coffee harvest | Variety of coffee: primarily Arabica, very little Robusta

Characteristics:
Washed Arabica coffee from the Unión Regional de Pequeños Productores de Café Huatusco, Veracruz; yearly harvest

Appraisal/Assessment:
Considerable difference between the standard quality of coffee – common to the American market – and better preparations destined for the European market.

Presence in our blends:
Café Excelso Max Havelaar , Fantasia Max Havelaar .

Comments:
Mexico produces coffee which is very irregular in quality. The best coffee is that of Veracruz, on the Atlantic coast, Orizba coffee, in particular. Tapachula coffee cultivated near the Guatemalan border is well renowned, as well as the coffee from the Oxaca region in the central western part of the country. The maragogypes of Mexico possess very big coffee beans; they are excellent, with a full, delicate fruity flavour and medium acidity. Al Tura and Custepec coffee rivals that of Guatemala. Due to the economic crisis, coffee growers are regrouping and offering Fair Trade labeled, environmentally-friendly organic and shade grown coffee.

Coffee Ranking: the world’s 3rd largest coffee producer, 10% of the world’s yearly coffee harvest, 20% of the country’s exports | Coffee Type: Arabica

Characteristics:
WashedArabica; “Excelso”Arabica, Max Havelaar of the region of Armenia/Medellín (Armenia: capital of the department of Quindío; Medellín: the second most populated city in Columbia and Arabica variety “Chamberi Excelso”. Max Havelaar, “European”preparations, yearly harvest

Appraisal/Assessment:
A sweet coffee with a fine taste, aromatic, with light body

Presence in our blends:
Café Supremo Max Havelaar, Café Excelso Max Havelaar, Moka, Café Fantasia Max Havelaar.

Comments:
Columbia is one of the world’s leading producers in Washed Arabica coffee, the MILDS. Overall, this coffee is smooth, often aromatic and fruity, slightly acid, without too much body, making for a light cup. The coffee blends may add more intensity and aroma. Medellins coffee which grows on volcanic ground on the hills of the central Cordillière has more body and a stronger aroma than the country’s other varieties of coffee. The Bucaramba is aromatic as well with slight acidity.

Photo: coffee cherries, department of Caldas/Colombia (Philippe Revelli).