February 2013 Tasting Box

Victoria, British Columbia

Sometimes we all need a little help from our friends. The question is - will you make it count? The 2,000 smallholder farmers working at the Dukunde Kawa Mill sure did. International agencies provided assistance to this group of 80% women farmers after the Rwandan war of the 1990’s. What we love is what they’ve done with it. Today, their community provides both health care and education to its members. But this isn’t just a feel good story--they’re also producing award-winning coffee that made us take notice. In this roast from Bows & Arrows, we savored the syrupy body and the rootbeer-like spices, from vanilla and nutmeg to cinnamon, citrus and clove.

Craft Coffee subscriptions are the best way to drink better coffee for less money. With prices as low as $7.99 per 12oz bag, Craft Coffee's subscriptions are the best coffee deal anywhere -- online or offline.

• Producer

  Dukunde Kawa Mill, farmed by 2,000 smallholder farmers

• Origin

  Musasa, Gakenke, Rwanda

• Varieties

  Bourbon

• Elevation

  1800-2000 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  Aromas of warm baking spices lead into an elegant and syrupy cup with the spicy sweet flavors of a classic root beer. Hints of citrus and cherry accent this comforting coffee.

Topeka, Kansas

PT’s Coffee Roasting Co. doesn’t just pick the coffees they want — they pick the people who harvest the beans. The roaster describes Sergio Ticas, the owner of Finca Los Planes, as a close friend, and a man who has a passion for his land, his people and his coffee. On a recent trip to the farm, PT’s worked with Sergio to select only the most skilled coffee pickers to harvest this special lot. Those elite hands selected the ripest, reddest coffee cherries, which yield this rich, buttery cup that gently unfolds into flavors of cocoa and butterscotch. Lingering notes of pecan and raspberry fade into a bright, clean finish.

Craft Coffee subscriptions are the best way to drink better coffee for less money. With prices as low as $7.99 per 12oz bag, Craft Coffee's subscriptions are the best coffee deal anywhere -- online or offline.

• Producer

  Finca Los Planes, farmed by Sergio & Isabel Ticas

• Origin

  Chalatenango, El Salvador

• Varieties

  Pacamara

• Elevation

  1600 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  This rich, buttery cup gently unfolds into flavors of cocoa and butterscotch. Lingering notes of pecan and raspberry fade into a bright, clean finish.

San Francisco, California

This one is dangerous. In the remote mountains of Colombia, the land is beautiful, and perfect for growing coffee. But this hard-to-reach area is also one of the last strongholds of the FARC paramilitary group that still skirmishes with the Colombian army. So Sightglass Coffee was thrilled when security concerns lessened and the ASOCEAS Cooperative, which works to connect coffee buyers to the region’s farmers, OK’d a visit to local farms last year. The result is this special lot, combining beans from 12 different farmers. The sweet, balanced cup opens with aromas of almonds and spice. Its delicate body is highlighted by notes of tart apple and hints of cinnamon.

Craft Coffee subscriptions are the best way to drink better coffee for less money. With prices as low as $7.99 per 12oz bag, Craft Coffee's subscriptions are the best coffee deal anywhere -- online or offline.

• Producer

  ASOCEAS Cooperative, farmed by 12 smallholder farmers

• Origin

  Herrera, Tolima, Colombia

• Varieties

  Caturra, Typica

• Elevation

  1500-1900 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  This sweet, balanced cup opens with aromas of almonds and spice. Its delicate body is highlighted by notes of tart apple and hints of cinnamon.