Archival Release #51 - Mikuba - 2022

Following last week’s release of four unique microlots from our Heza partnership in Burundi, we decided to double down on our celebration of these outstanding coffees with this month’s Archival Release.

This 2022 Mikuba hill lot is yet another example of why we are so fond of naturally processed coffees from Long Miles. The talented Long Miles washing station managers and staff consistently produce intensely sweet and clean fruited naturals that avoid over-fermented flavors, all while maintaining a vibrant acidity that is rarely found in dry-processed coffees. Roasting and tasting this lot again after a roughly three year rest in deep freeze storage, we’re reminded why we decided to tuck some of this away for future enjoyment: Subtle florals, molasses, and pomegranate on the nose lead to a deeply sweet, memorably complex cup with notes of black cherry, blackberry, and baking spices.

Archival Release #51 - Mikuba - 2022 represents a distinct offering from Passenger Coffee, showcasing the specific terroir of the Mikuba region in Burundi. Produced by Long Miles, this lot underwent a natural process, a method often associated with increased sweetness and a heavier body compared to washed counterparts. In the cup, this coffee presents a profile defined by black cherry, blackberry, and baking spices.

When evaluating such profiles, it is helpful to reference a flavor wheel to better categorize the interplay between the dark fruit notes and the underlying spice characteristics. Because natural-processed coffees often retain more of the fruit’s influence during drying, they frequently exhibit a complex, jammy quality that distinguishes them from other processing styles. This release serves as a focused look at the output of the Mikuba region, highlighting the specific character achieved by the producers during the 2022 harvest.