Mexico Finca Chelín Hydronatural Natural Geisha

Origin Story

This lot was grown at Finca Chelín, high in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, by Enrique López, a celebrated grower who is among the most experimental coffee farmers in our entire Direct Trade network. It is a single-varietal Geisha, but chances are it won’t taste quite like the last Geisha you tasted. That’s because it is what Enrique calls a “hydronatural natural” lot. Like other naturals, it was dried in the fruit. Unlike other naturals, its slow, four-week drying cycle was interrupted by an overnight soak in cold water at the end of day three. The combination of the coffee’s Geisha genetics, Finca Chelín’s exceptional terroir, and Enrique’s creative processing make this coffee unlike any other Geisha — or any natural — you will taste this year.

Produced by Enrique López in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, the Mexico Finca Chelín Hydronatural Natural Geisha represents a meticulous approach to coffee cultivation in Mexico. This lot features the Geisha varietal, a plant globally celebrated for its distinct floral aromatics and tea-like clarity. The coffee undergoes a unique "Hydronatural" process, a specialized technique that bridges traditional drying methods with controlled moisture management. To better understand how such processing methods influence the final cup, one can reference the flavor wheel to identify the complex profiles often associated with these techniques.

Sourced by Intelligentsia Coffee, this offering highlights the specific terroir of the Oaxacan highlands. While natural-processed coffees often exhibit heavier fruit characteristics and increased sweetness due to the extended contact between the bean and the fruit flesh during drying, the Hydronatural method aims to refine these qualities. This selection serves as a compelling example of how regional expertise and innovative processing can elevate the profile of a renowned varietal.