March 2013 Tasting Box

New York, New York

It's thanks to his family that Wilmar Guarnizo got into coffee farming in the first place. When Wilmar inherited Finca La Vega from his father in 2002, there wasn't a coffee tree in sight. But Wilmar's brothers had experience and success growing coffee, so he decided to follow their lead and plant some trees of his own. Since then, Wilmar has become an expert producer of top-notch coffee. These beans, roasted by family-run Joe, make a brew that's anything but familiar – cranberry and apple acidity cuddles up under a silky body with flavors of cashew and golden delicious for a velvety smooth cup that, like any good family gathering, leaves you comforted and restored.

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 La Vega, farmed by Wilmar Guarnizo

• Origin

  Tarqui, Huila, Colombia

• Varieties

  Caturra

• Elevation

  1650 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  Cranberry and apple acidity complement a honeyed cup, with cashew and golden delicious flavors, a silky body and a finish of coconut and warming spice.

Portland, Oregon

Direct trade doesn't just mean better coffee. It means a better life for independent farmers. Under the mixed-batch system, David Mancia, who only produces 25 bags of his premium coffee, would get lost in the mix. Thankfully, Coava Coffee Roasters has given David's beans a chance to shine on their own. Their direct-trade partnership has helped David expand his farm, produce higher quality coffee, and, best of all, buy the home he shares with his family. It's also delivered into your hands a cup as decadent as stone-fruit cobbler – a warm base of buttery crust opens into a brightness of lemon and nectarine, perfect after a good long meal. Here's to you, David.

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

  David Mancia

• Origin

  Santa Bárbara, Honduras

• Varieties

  Pacas, Catimor

• Elevation

  1600-1650 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  This heavy-bodied cup reminds us of stone-fruit cobbler. A warm base of buttery crust is balanced by bright nectarine acidity with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Denver, Colorado

Long revered as the birthplace of coffee itself, Ethiopia is world-renowned for its heirloom coffee varieties. But as Joseph Brodsky can tell you, getting a cup of the good stuff isn't so easy. Poor processing, storage, or transportation can ruin a nuanced flavor. That's why Joseph founded Ninety Plus, who brings you this gem of a bean. Ninety Plus has helped Ethiopian farmers develop the techniques necessary to harvest their delicate and ancient crop. And man alive does it make for a good cup of joe. A vibrant floral aroma seduces up front while notes of jasmine accent a delicate body dusted with cocoa – an ancient statue of a coffee, worth the time to study.

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

  Ninety Plus

• Origin

  Chalalacktu, Oromia, Ethiopia

• Varieties

  Caturra, Typica

• Elevation

  1500-1900 meters above sea level

• Process

  Washed

• Our Notes

  This vibrant cup opens with aromas of flowers and bergamot. A delicately structured body supports notes of jasmine and lemon. It finishes with a light dusting of cocoa.