Brazil: Yellow Honey Carlos Henrique

This coffee comes from Santa Rita de Cássia Farm, owned and operated by Carlos Henrique, and daughter Dani Alkmin. Don Carlos purchased the farm back in 1982, and has expanded slowly through the years to the current 78 hectares. Their farm is situated on the sloping hills of the Serra da Mantiqueira in Carmo de Minas, and spans a pretty steep incline of 900 to 1400 meters above sea level. Due in part to the steep terrain, but also by choice, the family harvest their coffee cherries manually by hand, instead of using harvesting machinery. Manual harvesting allows the picker to only select ripe cherries, whereas machinery of today is indiscriminate. Hand picking that allows for a more uniform selection, something that impacts the cup. In addition to the standard dry process and pulp natural coffees, they also produce a small amount of honey process, which is what this lot is. Honey processing is actually very similar to pulp natural in that the outer cherry is removed, but the sticky mucilage is left intact. With honeys, a thicker layer of fruit is left intact with the seed during the drying phase, which can affect the cup in different ways, like enhance body, and sweetness. 

This is another farmgate coffee that is great as espresso..

Cupping Notes: Caramel, rustic sugars, walnut, cocoa, and hints of dried apple and coconut notes

Brew Recommendations: Drip, French press, pour-over and espresso

Varietals: Acaia, Catuai, Mundo Novo, Icatu

Region: Carmo de Minas, Minas Geraís

Elevation: 1000-1400 meters above sea level

Processing Method: Honey processed and patio sun-dried

Equity and Transparency Pricing Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Produced by Carlos Henrique and Dani Alkmin in the Carmo de Minas region of Minas Geraís, this Brazil: Yellow Honey Carlos Henrique lot showcases the distinct character of Brazil · Carmo de Minas, Minas Geraís. The coffee is prepared using the honey process, a method that sits between washed and natural techniques by leaving a portion of the fruit mucilage on the bean during drying. As detailed in our processing methods explainer, this approach often influences the final cup profile, contributing to the sweetness and body found in this selection from Keia & Martyn's Coffee.

The cup profile features a comforting array of flavors, including caramel, rustic sugars, walnut, cocoa, dried apple, and coconut. These descriptors can be mapped against the flavor wheel to better understand how the specific terroir of this 1000-1400 masl estate translates into the final roast. This offering highlights the balance and depth frequently sought in high-quality Brazilian coffees.