Introducing the Father Tortoise Tasting Set

The “Father Tortoise” set pays homage to the Indonesian legend of creation, where the world was raised from the ocean on the back of a great tortoise. This myth serves as the foundation for this set, connecting the stability and strength of the tortoise to the transformative role of anaerobic processing in specialty coffee. Just as the tortoise brought order from chaos, anaerobic fermentation broke the boundaries of traditional coffee processing, laying the groundwork for the experimental horizons we explore today.

These three Geshas—Elipse, Nirvana, and Symbiosis—represent the evolution of anaerobic techniques, each a chapter in the ongoing story of coffee’s journey toward deeper complexity and clarity. From foundational natural processes to extended fermentations that push boundaries, this set reflects the steady rise of coffee’s possibilities on the stable foundation anaerobic processing has provided.

We recommend brewing the Father Tortoise set with Sybarist Fast Filters in a Hario V60. These filters are ideal for Gesha coffees because they allow water to flow quickly without “choking,” which means you can use a finer grind to achieve higher extractions. Compared to standard Hario V60 filters, the Sybarist Fast Filters require a much finer grind and produce a noticeably faster brew time.

As a frame of reference, our typical “Neutral” grind setting on our lab equipment is setting 6.5 on a Mahlkonig EK43 with drip burrs. The grind settings range from 0 to 16. Most of our traditional V60 filter recipes will fall between 5.5 and 8.5 on this grinder. With the Sibarist Fast filters, we found these coffees tasted best at the 3 to 3.5 setting – significantly finer.

A note on Dialing:

I would first dial Elipse, then adjust the grind size slightly finer to dial Nirvana and Symbiosis, as Nirvana and Symbiosis should have similar, if not identical, grind sizes.

Savage Nirvana

Dose: 20g

Ratio: 1:17

Filter: Sibarist Fast

Grind: Significantly finer than neutral 

Brew Time: 2:15

TDS: 1.3

Extraction: 20.3%

Sensory Description
A well-dialed cup of Nirvana is similar to enjoying a glass of Merlot, with vibrant red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and plum layered over deeper notes of chocolate and vanilla. The body is round and silky with medium weight, while the aromatics carry delicate florals, including rose and honeysuckle. Crisp tropical notes like kiwi and starfruit add complexity. The acidity is bright and mouthwatering yet balanced by a dynamic sweetness, creating a cup that is both vibrant and composed.

Dial Notes
Most brews of Nirvana produce enjoyable results, though the best cups are both balanced and complex, with a crisp acidity and a lingering aftertaste. On the Sybarist fast filters, brew times consistently finished around 2:15 regardless of grind size. Despite the quick drawdown, flavor shifts notably with grind adjustments. When dialing, expect faster brew times than typical for pour-overs, and rely on extraction percentage and balance as your primary guides.

Under-extracted brews of Nirvana resemble sour grapes, similar to wine that has oxidized too long. Sweetness is minimal, and the sharp acidity creates a tingling sensation on the tip and sides of the tongue. If you observe these underripe grape notes and sharp acidity, grind finer to increase extraction.

Over-extracted brews taste pleasant at first but dissipate quickly on the palate, leaving a drying aftertaste reminiscent of a dry red wine. While still somewhat sweet, these brews lack the long, mouthwatering finish of a well-dialed cup. If the flavors fade too quickly, adjust your grind coarser to reduce extraction and restore clarity.

Savage Symbiosis

Dose: 20g

Ratio: 1:17

Filter: Sibarist Fast

Grind: Significantly finer than neutral (same grind size as Nirvana)

Brew Time: 2:30

TDS: 1.35

Extraction: 20.2%

Sensory Description

Symbiosis explores the edge of what fermentation can express in coffee. When dialed in, the cup is layered and rich, leaning more fermentation-forward than the other two coffees in this set. The profile highlights vibrant tropical and stonefruit notes such as pineapple, yellow plum, and Rainier cherry. The texture is round and syrupy with a medium body, and the dense sweetness balances the lively acidity, showcasing the complexity that extended fermentation can create.

Dial Notes

As with the other coffees in this set, brews on the Sybarist fast filters consistently finished around 2:30 regardless of grind size, though the flavor profile shifted significantly with extraction.

• Under-extracted brews of Symbiosis lose their balance, with fruit notes shifting toward underripe expressions such as green pineapple, tart yellow plum, and unripe cherry. Sweetness and texture are diminished, and the acidity presents as sharp and sour.
• Over-extracted brews are muted and drying. The vibrant fruit character gives way to darker, less defined flavors, leaning toward dark chocolate. Sweetness and aftertaste fade quickly, leaving a flat impression on the palate.
  
  
  

Savage Elipse

Dose: 20

Ratio: 1:17

Filter: Sibarist Fast

Grind: Finer than Neutral (slightly coarser than Nirvana and Symbiosis)

Brew Time: 2:30

TDS: 1.33

Extraction: 19.8%

Sensory Description
Ellipse sits between Symbiosis and Nirvana in profile, with hybrid processing that combines natural drying followed by a washed finish. When dialed in, Ellipse presents a bright, structured acidity reminiscent of classic washed Geshas. The flavor highlights fresh bergamot (think of Earl Grey), ripe cherry, and mandarin orange, supported by pronounced florals in both aroma and taste.

Dial Notes
As with the other coffees in this set, brews on the Sybarist fast filters consistently finished around 2:30 regardless of grind size, though the flavor profile shifted significantly with extraction.

Under-extracted brews of Ellipse are thin and reminiscent of underripe fruit juice. The bergamot note shifts from tea-like clarity to a more herbal character, while the mandarin loses its sweetness and tastes closer to lemon than to the deeper, sweeter citrus of mandarin orange.

Over-extracted brews are drying and astringent, similar to over-steeped black tea. Sweetness is largely absent and the citric acidity becomes muted. If your cup is drying and astringent, adjust your grind coarser to reduce extraction and restore balance.