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
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
Last year we stumbled upon Finca Las Garzas from a surprise selection of samples that eventually became our delightfully weird Balsamic Glaze and we've been eagerly awaiting this years' harvest since we said goodbye to that savoury goodness.
This year brings less savoury and way more elegance as evidenced by this fruity little number. Imagine if your favourite peach iced tea and coffee hooked up one late summer evening and this is probably the concoction you'd end up with.
We taste
Black: Peach, honey, lemon
Milk: Peach candy rings, tropical fruit punch