Received 12/05/2011
Co-op Cafe Cohorsil, Rain Forest Alliance
Roast Profile: Medium, Balanced Body. Mid-range Roast Color. Sweetness: Perfectly Washed-Mild & Balanced.
Honduras has all of the necessary environmental ingredients for the perfect cup of coffee - rich soil, high altitude, and generous climate. In general, these coffees are known for their lower acidity and heightened sweetness compared to other Central American varietals, which has made Hondurans popular in espresso. What we've noticed in our El Jaguar beans, however, is a unique brightness. Medium-bodied, washed-mild, and balanced - this is the perfect 'any time' coffee, or a great gift for anybody unfamiliar with specialty coffees and the pure joy they have to offer.
The indigenous farmers of central Honduras have, historically, lacked the necessary tools and infrastructure to successfully and sustainably grow quality coffees. This has also meant reduced access to high-elevation real-estate on which to grow. As a result, Honduran coffees have largely been known for their mediocre flavor and lack of consistency. The mountainous, tropical territory, however, presents ideal growing conditions, and the last several years have delivered a radical shift in coffee production.
A small collective of growers and investors, the Café Cohorsil Cooperative, has identified an opportunity here. In central Honduras, they have implemented a number of changes, helping indigenous farmers gain access to better tools, better plots of land and, above all, more efficient and sustainable growing methods. What this means for all of us is a fresh batch of unusual heirloom coffees with delicate, refined flavors. What this means for the farmers is a more valued product, and the secure livelihood that follows.