THE BEAN SCENE

News of the Green

WHILE MOST ROASTERS have their favorite green beans—the ones they choose year after year for that perfect roast profile—there are always new and unusual green beans making their way into roasteries around the country. And while it would be nice to have time to sample every single one, that’s simply not a reality in the life of most roasters.
    In an effort to make your sourcing easier, the Bean Scene highlights some of the exciting green beans that are available from around the world. Compiled in an easy-to-read format, and covering important features such as origin, flavor and availability, the Bean Scene makes it easier for you to find new and interesting beans to add to your flavor profile.

quadra-seal™ grounds for health mexican decaf

Country of Origin Mexico
Geographic Area/Estate Huatusco

Species Arabica
Varietal Typica
Certifications Fair-trade-certified.™ Soon to be certified organic

Harvest October–December
Availability Immediately

Grade Specialty
Screen Size 15

Drying Conditions Patio- and machine-dried
Processing Wet

Flavor The coffee has good depth, complexity and mild acidity with sweet orange peel aromatics, blended with subtle chocolate notes.

Notes A distinctive, full-flavored yet balanced coffee of premium quality. For every purchase, we donate $.05/lb. to Grounds for Health.

Contact
Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Co.
Eric Buchegger
P 604.444.9490
ebuchegger@swisswater.com

single-estate family-owned salvadoran coffee

Country of Origin El Salvador
Geographic Area/Estate Santa Leticia Coffee Estate is located in Ahuachapan in western El Salvador
Elevation 5,000 feet

Species Arabica
Varietal Bourbon
Certifications 100 percent shade–grown

Harvest Mid-December–early March
Availability Immediately

Grade AA
Screen Size 17/18

Drying Conditions Sun-dried patio
Processing Washed

Flavor A fragrant, full-bodied coffee with bold chocolate flavors, a clean finish, and a subtle hint of cinnamon and berries.

Notes Santa Leticia Estate has been in the Valdivieso family for more than 120 years.

Contact
Valdivieso International
Francisco Valdivieso
P 503.913.0449

conquista

Country of Origin Brazil
Geographic Area/Estate Bahia—Sinay Neves Estates

Species Arabica
Varietal Catuai (Yellow and Red)
Certifications Pursuing Nature Conservancy TM certification

Harvest April–August
Availability Immediately

Grade 2
Screen Size All screen sizes. Principally 17/18, although 16/18 is very common as well.

Drying Conditions Sun-dried
Processing Natural, semi-washed, and pulped natural available

Flavor Medium acidity, earthy body with chocolate and caramel tones.

Notes Socially conscious coffee; direct school programs administered by www.sociallyconsciouscoffee.org.

Contact
Sinay Neves Enterprises
789 Clarkson St., Suite 504
Denver, CO 80218

andeano peaberry

Country of Origin Colombia
Geographic Area/Estate Southwestern Colombia, in the Valle del Cauca region
Altitude 4,595-6,005 feet

Species Arabica
Varietal Colombia and caturra
Certifications Colombian Specialty Coffee Certification by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia

Harvest March–May and October–December
Availability Immediately

Screen Size 14

Drying Conditions Sun dried patio
Processing Handpicked, washed

Flavor Strong aroma, with a balanced flavor, smooth body and high acidity.

Contact
Andeano Coffee
P 888.213.5059
greencoffee@andeanogold.com
www.andeano.com

escoffee ecuador

Country of Origin Ecuador
Geographic Area/Estate Olmdedo-Chaguarpamba / Loja Province

Species Arabica
Varietal Bourbon, caturra and typica
Certifications In the process of obtaining organic and fair-trade certifications

Harvest June–September
Availability October–March

Grade Specialty
Screen Size 15/16

Drying Conditions Sun-dried patio
Processing Washed

Flavor High acidity, very good body with a sweet flavor and hints of nuts, chocolate and tobacco

Contact
Escoffee
P (5939) 9405678
info@escoffee.com
www.escoffee.com

faracafé shade-grown

Country of Origin Nicaragua
Geographic Area/Estate Matagalpa/Los Nubes Estate

Species Arabica
Varietal Caturra
Certifications Shade-grown

Harvest November–January
Availability Immediately

Grade Strictly Hard Bean
Screen Size 17/18

Drying Conditions Sun-dried
Processing Washed—European preparation

Flavor Medium acidity, full body

Contact
Faracafé
P 866.877.cafE
www.faracafe.com

mzuzu

Country of Origin Malawi
Geographic Area/Estate Northern Malawi

Species Arabica
Varietal Caturra

Harvest May–September
Availability December forward

Grade 1
Screen Size Unscreened, virtually no defects

Drying Conditions Sun-dried, weather permitting, otherwise mechanical dryer
Processing Hand-picked, hand-sorted and washed

Flavor Bright, light acidity, typical of East Africa. The Mzuzu cups a bit like a Yirgacheffe with a natural piney resin replacing the citrus of a typical Yirgacheffe. Delicious white wine overtones.

Notes Mzuzu are indigenous producers of coffee from Malawi, which is comparable to any of the top East African coffees.

Contact
Café Imports
800.278.5065
info@cafeimports.com

costa rica tarrazú miel

Country of Origin Costa Rica
Geographic Area/Estate Tarrazú

Species Arabica
Varietal Bourbon and caturra

Harvest December–March
Availability Early Summer–Spring

Grade Strictly high-grown
Screen Size 16 and above

Drying Conditions Sun dried
Processing Pulped natural (unusual in Central America); selected beans from the peak of the harvest are patio-dried with intensive raking.

Flavor Soft sweet cup, deep flavor notes with long, balanced finish. Hints of chocolate and cinnamon follow exceptional sweetness in the nose.

Notes Single-estate coffee comprising 2–3 percent of the total output of this responsibly run 700-acre farm.

Contact
Knutsen Coffees, Ltd.
800.231.7764
kcltd@pacbell.net
www.knutsencoffees.com

kinjibi coffee

Country of Origin Papua New Guinea
Geographic Area/Estate Waghi Valley, Western Highland Province

Species Arabica
Varietal Typica (Blue Mountain), arusha, mundo novo

Harvest March–September
Availability 2003 crop is SPOT in Oakland, Seattle and New Jersey. 2004 crop arrives July–October of 2004

Grade A
Screen Size 17

Drying Conditions Sun-dried
Processing Traditional wet-pulped

Flavor Sweet, intense aroma with medium body and balanced acidity. Crisp, clean taste with fruity tones.

Notes New Guinea Traders sets aside $.05/lb. for coffee land development. Current, continuing projects include education, water supply and electricity.

Contact
New Guinea Traders LLC
Aarlie Hull
877.219.0040
sales@newguineatraders.com
www.newguineatraders.com

If you’re a green bean importer and would like to share an upcoming special import with Roast readers, please e-mail shanna@roastmagazine.com for details.