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July 08, 2024
Alejo Castro's story, rooted in the lush landscapes of Volcan Azul, Costa Rica, transcends mere coffee farming—it's a narrative woven with threads of resilience, heritage, and unwavering dedication. Across seven generations, his family's journey echoes through continents, from the rugged terrains of Mexico to the dense forests of Tanzania, before finding a home in the verdant hills of Costa Rica. Amidst the upheavals of history, from fleeing insurgents in Mexico to being displaced after World War II, the Castro family's commitment to coffee cultivation remained steadfast, a testament to their enduring spirit.
For Alejo, nurturing the plants that bear the family name isn't just about business; it's a sacred homage to the legacy of those who came before him—a legacy of excellence, perseverance, and the timeless artistry of coffee cultivation. Gesha coffee, renowned since its discovery in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in 1931, is celebrated for its wild, intense floral, and sweet notes. After being lost in Latin America, it reemerged in Panama in the mid-1990s, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the world's finest coffee varieties.
We taste notes of Orange Blossom, Dried Cherries, and Peach.
Our brewing recommendation:
Dose: 21g
Ratio: 1:16.2
Grind: Fine
Bloom: 1:2 for 30s
Total Brew: 3:15
TDS: 1.5
Extraction: 21.41%We recommend a continuous pour to keep below 3:15. Longer brew times could easily over-extract.
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November 22, 2024
Dose: 21g
Ratio: 1:16.2
Grind: Neutral
Bloom: 1:2 for 30s
Total Brew: 2:50
TDS: 1.45
Extraction: 20.50%
The Villa Betulia Sidra dialed really quickly for us. We found the best dial to be a grind size around neutral combined with a 21g dose to produce a TDS of 1.45% and extraction of 20.5%. In general, I’m noticing that Sidra varieties taste great with a 21g dose. The higher dose amplifies the fruity and candy notes. This coffee tastes like candy when dialed well and should have a long, sweet, juicy aftertaste.
November 19, 2024
Dose: 21g
Ratio: 1:17
Grind: Coarse
Bloom: 1:2 for 30s
Total Brew: 3:15
TDS: 1.45
Extraction: 20%
This coffee is a fantastic expression of a “classic” gesha flavor profile. You should expect lots of delicate florals and positive tea-like characteristics with a medium-high acidity. Due to the delicate nature of this coffee, I would pay special attention to avoiding over-extraction, especially since gesha coffees can have a tendency to brew slowly. The extra 1 gram up-dose should give you enough flavor/body to offset a coarser grind.
November 19, 2024
Dose: 21g
Ratio: 1:17
Grind: Coarse
Bloom: 1:2 for 30s
Total Brew: 3:12
TDS: 1.39
Extraction: 19.8%
This coffee is a washed CM coffee, so you should expect high levels of acidity and sweetness that balance each other well, while the tasting notes are relatively delicate. Similar to Terroir, this coffee presents with a lot of floral notes, but features more sweetness in comparison. It should have a nice sparkling acidity alongside syrupy fruit, but subtle fruits like peach. Be sure to adjust your dial until you’re perceiving that lingering sweetness in the cup.
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