July 2021 Magic Seeds
We are super excited to introduce you to this month's Magic Seeds, a honey processed Villa Sarchi variety grown by Carlos & Diana Barrantes on their farm, Finca Flor del Café. We have plenty to say about that, but first let's take a look at our Daily Drinker. This month we have the wonderful opportunity to taste two great coffees from the same region, but also to see what makes one exceptional.
Your July Daily Drinker and Magic Seeds both come from the West Valley of Costa Rica. The Daily Drinker is s a regional selection of multiple farms, each with their own combination of coffee varieties and processing influence. Included in this blend of varieties is the Villa Sarchi, which is singled out for your Magic Seeds. While these coffees are similar, you will see more precise flavor representation in the Magic Seeds as it is one variety, from one farm, with one processing method. In the Daily Drinker cup we first experience raspberry flavors, with a creamy mouthfeel, and a slightly boozy finish. As the cup cools a sweet nuttiness comes forward that reminds us of pecan pie.
Carlos & Diana Bárrantes at their La Perla del Café mircomill
Your Magic Seeds for this month come from the Flor del Café farm, part of the famed La Perla del Café micromill in the Narranjo region of Costa Rica's West Valley. The West Valley is known for producing wonderfully vibrant honey processed coffees, predominantly with the Villa Sarchi variety, which is a naturally occurring, dwarf mutation of Bourbon and native to this region. Much of this fame is due to the work of Carlos and Diana Barrantes. Prior to establishing La Perla in 2011 they worked with Carlos' brother's famous mill Herbazú, just across the road.
In this cup, we're first hit with the brightness of red currants with a vanilla aroma and graham cracker note similar to s'mores - perfectly seasonal. As the cup cools it develops more complexity, taking on a refreshing tartness along with flavors of fresh herbs and white wine that together remind us of pinot gris.
new growth at Finca Flor del Café
We hope that you have loved this month's Magic Seeds and look forward to sharing another exceptional experience with you next month.
Photos provided by Café Imports.
