When you think of the Swedish town Älmhult two thoughts should come to mind, a certain ready-to-assemble furniture company, and the latest from the Swedish specialty coffee scene: Big High 5. The latter is this July’s roaster and their coffees taste as great as… a big high five!
FUNKY 99
Origin: Rwanda
Process: 99-hour fermentation & sun dried on raised beds
Altitude: 1700 - 1900 masl
Producer: Epiphanie Mukashyaka
Varieties: Red bourbon
Tasting notes: Kiwi & Pineapple
”Each producer selling their cherries to the Nyarusiza Washing Station, carefully handpick the cherries once ripe. Upon delivery to the Washing Station, the cherries are spread evenly on raised tables to be sorted for quality purposes. After sorting, the cherries are covered by shade nets and submerged in water – 20L of water per 200kgs of cherry. Testing occurs regularly to ensure overfermentation does not occur. The coffee remains here for 99 hours to attain the ideal fermentation level. Once completely dried, the coffee is hulled at Kamonyi Dry Mill no more than 30 days later.”
MITAD DEL CORAZÓN
Origin: Peru
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1900 - 2000 masl
Producer: Santos Romulo Huancas Chinchay
Varieties: Red Caturra, Typica, Costa Rica & Bourbon
Tasting notes: Orange & Peach
”Santos, aged 49, has lived in La Libertad for 25 years, purchasing his farm 10 years ago. Santos’ farm, named Mitad del Corazón (translating as ‘The Middle of the Heart’) takes its name after the farm's heart-like shape. Like many other farms in the region, the name is representative, reflecting the distinguishing characteristics in the surrounding area. More so in the case of Santos, as the name is chosen as it expresses passion; a force regularly found at the farm. As well as growing local varieties such as Red Caturra & Bourbon, Santos is fortunate to also produce a small amount of Costa Rica; all of which thrive at high altitudes.”
BANCO GOTETE
Origin: Ethiopia
Process: Washed
Altitude: 2000 - 2100 masl
Producer: Legu Trading PLC
Varieties: Local Landraces & JARC 74 selections
Tasting notes: Elegant, bergamot, lime
”This exceptional lot was processed, dry milled and exported by Legu Trading. The coffee was grown by smallholder farmers living around the town of Banco Gotete in Gedeo County, Yirgacheffe region. Most contributing farmers own less than a hectare of land, and they grow coffee simply as a backyard cash crop. Income from coffee is important but minimal for most farmers due to the small size of their farms. As such, inputs are minimal – most coffee grown in the region is 100% organic, though not certified, as the government restricts the chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides.”