The importance of varieties in coffee has grown significantly in the last 10 years. Most people are familiar with the different types of wine varieties like, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot and on and on. This same trend has taken off in coffee, and while many of our single origin offerings are a mix of different varieties, some, like this are not. The most sought after coffees in the world tend to be single lot varieties. The most famous being Gesha, and now we can add Pink Bourbon to the mix. Varieties like Gesha and Pink Bourbon have such unique profiles, they are best consumed as is, and not blended with other varieties.
While this offering does come from 8 different farmers, the type of coffee varietal is the same from each producer. Pink Bourbon has quickly become one of the most well known coffee varieties in the world and for good reason… it is delicious! Pink Bourbon is a natural mutation of Yellow and Red bourbon. This varietal stands out in every way, from the striking pink color of the cherry on the tree to the elegant, sweet taste in the cup. It can be very challenging to cultivate.
In addition to the meticulous plant maintenance, farmers must isolate their crops to encourage successful cross pollination and the ongoing production of pink fruit. The recessive genes leading to the expression of this pink color are easily thwarted by the presence of yellow and red genes in a given pollen grain, so isolation is a must. Harvesting also requires extra diligence: coffee pickers look for subtle color nuances that separate unripe cherries from mature cherries. A picker must re-train themselves and get acquainted with this unique varietal, because many would assume a pink cherry just needs to ripen a little longer and is on its way to becoming red. Obviously not the case with Pink Bourbon. As with any coffee harvest, a lot of variables have to align to make this a successful cup.
Like our previous offering from Colombia, this coffee was processed at the Manos Juntas Micromill in Cauca, by our friends at Banexport. Again, Banexport is the company that has exported all our Colombian coffees over the years. The concept of this mill is to make life easier for the producers and Banexport. All 8 producers brought their ripe cherries to the mill, where it was then naturally processed and dried, and then prepped for the export journey to us. It is always a treat to share these special coffees with everyone.
Tasting Notes: Sweet and Soft with Crisp Apple, Pink Lemonade, and Lemon-Lime