Ivan Gutierrez Catuai - Honey Process - Education Lot - 2025

Tasting notes

Character

• Sweet

After a number of years featuring geshaGesha (Geisha)A rare, jasmine-and-bergamot scented variety originally from Ethiopia's Gesha forest, made famous by Panama's Hacienda La Esmeralda. Routinely the most expensive coffee at auction. and SL28SL28A Kenyan variety selected in the 1930s by Scott Agricultural Laboratories, prized for intense blackcurrant acidity and deep sweetness. lots from award-winning producer Ivan Gutierrez, we were approached last year by our import partners at Selva regarding some of Ivan’s larger catuaiCatuaíA Brazilian cross of Mundo Novo and Caturra: short, productive, storm-resistant. Sweet, mild, dependable — everywhere in Brazil and Central America. varietyVariety (cultivar)The botanical subtype of the coffee plant — Gesha, Bourbon, SL28 — analogous to grape varieties in wine. A major driver of cup character alongside origin and process. lots. We had the opportunity to taste both his washedWashed processThe fruit is removed from the seed before drying, usually with fermentation and a water rinse. Tends to give clean, transparent cups where origin character shows clearly. and honeyHoney processThe skin is removed but some sticky fruit mucilage is left on during drying. Lands between washed and natural: more sweetness and body than washed, cleaner than natural.-processed catuai lots and were impressed not only by the expressiveness of the washed catuai lot, but also by how well the honey processing illustrated its intended effect of bringing additional sweetness and flavor complexity to the cup. Often, we find that the effects of honey processing can seem quite minimal, or even limiting to the character of a coffee, compared to a washed counterpart. These two lots, on the other hand, presented together as part of our February release, are a picture of contrast, with each offering a uniquely enjoyable flavor profile in its own right. The profile of this honey-processed catuai is a bit more wild and complex compared to the washed lot, featuring vibrant flavors of ripe red berries, limeade, and creamy cocoa.