Our first Nicaraguan of the season and we knew this was destined for our Familiar programme from the first slurp - if coffee could give you a comforting cuddle, this would be the one holding you close.
Reliably delicious and easy-going with the silkiest texture we've come across; the perfect antidote to being trapped by bed.
We taste
Black: Caramel, shortbread, lime
Milk: Milk chocolate, biscuit, citrus
Guatemala never disappoints when it comes to Familiar coffees and this washed number from Lago Ayarza is absolutely no exception. Tasting like a hot chocolate fudge smoothie with a body to match, we've yet to find such a widely enjoyed coffee along our roasting journey.
Guaranteed delicious defined.
We taste
Black: Chocolate, caramel, fudge
Milk: Milk chocolate, dulce de leche, honeycomb
Decaf doesn't have to be a choice between decent sleep and a tasty brew as clearly evidenced by this divine example. Sugarcane decaffeination imparts a golden syrup profile over this classically citric washed Colombian that's so good you'd swear you'll be up all night.
No compromise decaf? I'll take three!
We taste
Black: Golden syrup, toasted nuts, lemonade
Milk: Milk chocolate, honey, lemon
Here we are with another Finca La Luisa banger for the summer season and it's one of the most interesting cups we've had for a while. After a period of golden honey processing, the cherries are carbonically macerated with fresh lemon and coconut to produce a silky, sparkling and creamy brew that's ideal over ice to combat the summer heat.
We taste
Black: Lemon radler, coconut, silky
Milk: Coconut milk, lemon curd, cream soda
Would we even be a northern roastery without a coffee that tastes like Vimto? Good job we found this exceptional Peru that reminds us of those classic blackcurrant-y Kenyan profiles with an additional candied fruit acidic kick.
We taste
Black: Blackcurrant, pear, banana
Milk: Blackberry jam, raisin, almond
Summer time means strawberries and this carbonic maceration strawberry co-ferment from our friends at Finca La Luisa brings some serious fruit to the table. Imagine a massive bowl of the sweetest strawbs you've ever had covered in a caramel chocolate glaze with a dollop of greek yoghurt on top and you're pretty much there.
An outstandingly delicious cup however you have it.
We taste
Black: Strawberry laces, caramel, yoghurt
Milk: Milk chocolate, strawberry compote, cream
Hailing from the sunny slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, this lot highlights exactly what African coffees are all about - sweet, syrupy berries and delicate florals combining to provide a complex cup that'll keep surprising until the final sip.
We taste
Black: Strawberry, lavender, white chocolate
Casa de Piedra is fast becoming one of our favourite farms seeing as every lot we've tried so far has been exceptional regardless of process or variety. If you tried Negroni, our previous Casa de Piedra offering, you'll have a pretty good idea what you're in for with Umeshu: big body booziness, outstanding stone fruit sweetness and a hint of vanilla florality.
We taste
Black: Chocolate, plum, vanilla
Milk: Currants, muscovado, honey