July 2013 Tasting Box

St. Louis, Missouri

When it comes to finding great Latin American coffees, Mexico typically loses out to its southern neighbors. In fact, this is only the second Mexican coffee we’ve featured in over two years. But when Amanda, one of our expert panelists, exclaimed “this is the best Mexican coffee I’ve ever tasted!,” we were sold, and we knew you had to try it. Most quality Mexican coffees come from Oaxaca or Chiapas, making these beans from the town of Coatepec a rare find. Even rarer still, this coffee was processed at a mill where farmers bring freshly-picked coffee cherries—not the norm in Mexico where beans are often processed by the individual farmer with mixed results—so the mill had more control over quality. That approach clearly paid off in this sweet, chocolatey brew.

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

  A community of smallholder farmers

• Origin

  Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico

• Varieties

  Bourbon, Caturra, Typica

• Elevation

  1,200-1,400 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed, patio dried

• Our Notes

  One of the best Mexican coffees we’ve ever tasted. It opens with deep aromas of dark caramel, raisin and chocolate that lead into a round, clean cup. A light citrus acidity balances sweet flavors of dried plum and black cherries.

Brooklyn, New York

This coffee hails from paradise. For years, the folks behind Finca El Pilar, just outside of Antigua, Guatemala have worked to convert a colonial coffee plantation into a protected forest sanctuary. Today, only 5% of the grounds are dedicated to growing these certified organic beans. The rest are set aside for over 130 bird species, lush green landscapes and beautiful butterflies. Hummingbirds are known to flitter throughout the property. Toby’s Estate, our neighbors in Brooklyn, are no strangers to renewal of spaces themselves. They only recently arrived from Australia and converted an old meat-provisioning house into their beautiful cafe and roastery. We couldn’t be more pleased to help them share this sugary brew that’s layered with chocolate, hazelnuts and spice.

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 El Pilar, farmed by Juan Carlos Chen

• Origin

  San Juan Sacatepéquez, Atitlan, Guatemala

• Varieties

  Typica, Bourbon, Caturra

• Elevation

  1,500-1,900 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed, patio dried

• Our Notes

  Heady in cocoa and palm sugar, this exceptionally balanced cup reveals varying layers of chocolate with hints of jasmine, hazelnuts and spice. Sweet notes of coconut linger on the finish.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

For Fratello Coffee Roasters, quality coffee is all in the family. The Prefontaine brothers grew up under the guiding hand of their coffee-loving father. They took the reigns in 1997 and as they expanded, the brothers were faced with a choice - they could try to be all things to all people, or they could focus on interesting, quality coffees. They chose the latter and it shows in this offering from Papua New Guinea. The country is an under-developed source of world-class coffee, but the Baroida Estate is one of the few farms making a case for change. In over fifteen years, this is the first coffee from Papua New Guinea that Fratello has ever put their name behind. So you can be sure that we’ve found you something special. We’re delighted to join them in sharing it with you.

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

  Baroida Estate

• Origin

  Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

• Varieties

  Bourbon, Typica

• Elevation

  1,670-1,830 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  This coffee layers earthy notes of cedar and spice in a brown sugar sweetness with juicy waves of bing cherry and lemon.