Unroasted - Cuban Altura Lavado

Unroasted - Brazil Natural

$6.43

About the bean

We're welcoming a new coffee to our selection. The Brazil Natural comes to us from a very large farm in the Cerrado region of the world's most famous coffee-producing country, and, as its name makes clear: this bean was dried naturally. The natural method of drying coffee is an ancient practice that involves leaving harvested beans to dry under the sun. Simple!

This process has been likened to red wine by some connoisseurs with a renewed interest in the natural method. Like red wine, more of the skin and the fruit is absorbed. Because the seed of the coffee cherry is imbued with more of the coffee fruit's sugars and nutrients, the final result can be flavour magic. You will sometimes hear the term "wild in the cup" associated with naturally processed coffees. This method provides more in the way of flavour brilliance as well as flavour quirks. Its inconsistencies is one of the reasons why the wet method of washing the coffee seed off the fruit became the preferred process of the two. But never discount the merits of risk, coffee lovers. And this pick pays off. 

A sweet softie with a thick body. Our favourite Brazilian bean in stock right now alongside the Brazil Planalto.

Quick Notes

Grown at a low altitude of only 800m on a large farm and harvested mechanically. These indicators do not suggest the favourable outcome a bean cultivated at a higher elevation on a smaller farm with hand pickers does but this natural Brazilian is a total pleaser. In a country without the growing altitudes of more elevated coffee-producing regions, the natural process can accomplish more fruitiness, more flavour, more complexity.

Our taste test: Brewed in a French press at a City roast profile, we enjoyed a soft, velvety body reminiscent of white chocolate, a medium brightness (acidity), with a caramel underlay and some fruity flair. A pour over brew enhances these fruit notes. A most enjoyable, sweet aftertaste which is typical of the natural drying process.

For those of us who prefer a darker roast, the Brazil Natural brewed in a French press at a Vienna roast profile made a memorable impression. The deeper richness did not overwhelm or undermine the cup's balance. Great espresso potential here.

Roast Recommendation: To preference. 

Unroasted - Brazil Planalto

$5.12

About the bean

We have our favourites, too!

Ah, Brazil. There's an awful lot of coffee in Brazil ... But we keep going back to this one because it's our favourite from this coffee producing powerhouse.

Our Brazil Planalto is sourced from the family-run Planalto Estate in the highlands of Nova Rezende, in the south of Mina Gerais - the country's main producer of milk and coffee. The farm's 3,600-foot altitude and surrounding natural forest create a unique microclimate, perfect for growing high-quality coffee.

The Taste Test

Hario V60 drip brew - American Roast
Very aromatic during the brewing process. This is a particularly well-balanced coffee with some jazz to it - yellow fruits and a medium-high brightness. This bean is one we enjoy because it offers more than the typical bean from Brazil, although it does offer nutty notes and good body as you might expect from a Brazilian coffee; the Planalto brings some extra special.

French Press - Full City Roast
Notes of chocolate and nut emerged at this roast profile. A Full City cup proffered a sweet and pleasant coffee; most enjoyable.

The Brazilian Planalto is a great pick for espresso, drip brews and, if it were summer, cold brews.

Notes

Species: Arabica, single origin
Cultivar: Yellow Catuai / Mundo Novo
Altitude: 1,200 m
Flavour: Citrus, slight berry; rich and caramelized.
Certifications: Humaniterra Foundation, UTZ Certified, Aliment préparé au Québec

Roasting recommendation: Nice light; medium to dark is also just right.

Beyond the cup

The Planalto Estate covers 350 acres of strictly preserved native forest and vegetation. Liquid wastes from coffee processing are recycled and treated. Coffee pulp is reused for its nutritional value.

Estate employees enjoy a full range of benefits, as well as salaries above the regional average. Worker safety is a priority.

Unroasted - Brazilian Cerrado 2/3, SC 17/18 SS FC

$3.63

About the bean

It's finally been warm enough to add some ice to our favourite beverage and this pick is perfect for both hot and chill preparation. Our current batch of Cerrado is a blend from four farms in Brazil's Minas Cerais state - the biggest producer of this coffee powerhouse nation. The price is great on this one and it's a damn fine representative of Brazil's charms: body, balance, sweetness and those nice nutty notes we look for from this region. Check out the Japanese Iced Coffee recipe we used to sample the Cerrado below.

Great price, versatile and tasty - a Brazilian favourite.

Quick Notes

Region: Cerrado Mineiro (Minas Gerais state)
Species: Arabica
Altitude: 800- 1,300 masl.
Process:  Natural

Taste Test

Full City roast brewed in a Hario V60 pour over (served as Japanese Iced Coffee)
For the Japanese Iced Coffee, we used the same ratio as we would for a regular V60 pour over brew: 30g of coffee to 500ml of water. But instead of using all of that water, we used half for brewing (250ml) and the other half (250ml) to make ice cubes. Adjust the ratio of coffee to water to suit preference but be sure to replace half of the water with the same in ice cubes - the ice cubes lock in flavour and dilute what could be a too-strong cup. The genius of this method: there's no need to refrigerate. You will, however, need a manual pour over for the job. Our go-to brewers are: Chemex and the Hario V60 dripper. Help yourself to the recipe we followed here.

Feel free to add extras. We recommend popping in peppermint, just mint, orange or lemon peel, a sprig of rosemary - whatever you fancy. By itself, the iced coffee is potent, sweet and pleasantly permeated with notes of dark chocolate and dried plums. We're looking forward to a summer of Japanese Iced Coffee.

American roast brewed in a French press
Nice balance, good body, medium brightness and a sweet caramel deliciousness followed in the aftertaste.

Roast recommendation: City to Full City (soft bean, will roast quickly). For an explanation of our different roasts, see here: http://greenbeanery.ca/pages/roasting-chart.

Unroasted - Brazilian Peaberry

$4.95

About the bean

From Minas Gerais state in the Mogiana region of Brazil.

This Brazilian coffee has a fine citrus acidity, nutty, chocolate characteristics, a good body and a very clean aftertaste.

Notes

Varietal: Peaberry
Altitude: Grown between 1,100-1,250 masl.
Acidity: Medium

Roasting recommendation: City to Full City