Alex Reynoso - natural

SIZE

 

SINGLE ORIGIN COFFEE

Country: Guatemala

Farmer: Alex Reynoso

Mill / Washing Station: Santa Clara, Antigua

Region:  Sansupo, Mataquescuintla

Varietal: catimor, marsellesa

Elevation: 1700 m

Tasting Notes: mango verde, tiramisu, strawberry

 

We notoriously avoid natural coffees in most instances because they are risky to produce for smaller farms who can't afford to over-ferment and blow it, potentially losing buyers. Farms who don't have the controlled drying  infrastructure to produce stable, excellent naturals. We can't typically or sustainably afford to "buy it anyway" and blend out pulpy coffees at higher prices in perpetuity. BUT there's sometimes a but. Alex has been working over the last few years to nail his fermentation levels and get his coffees to a point where we can both positively offer a natural lot with integrity. Also, and more importantly, the aquifer that his farm is dependent upon is not recovering like previous years when drought conditions were less frequent and climate change was less dramatic. Coupled with his compromised health and the lack of labourers encountered throughout the region, and in many of the coffeelands in general, we, not surprisingly, have a natural lot to offer you. And it's a good one. Held initially as an entry to this past year's Cup of Excellence, Alex was forced to sell it after being notified that the so-called "lesser" varieties (catimor, marsellesa) would make it less attractive to an international auction market detached from smaller producer realities. So, we have a high scoring natural lot that can't access the darling markets. Green mango acidity, strawberry and milk chocolate. Intensely sweet and fragrant and deserving of a couple weeks rest before service if you can manage. $2 per pound of this coffee will be returned to Alex for reinvestment in the farm infrastructure at Palo de Quina.