Summer is fading fast, school is back in session, vacations are over and the workaday reality of our millstone existence stares us in the face. This is the season when the real coffee drinking begins, demand and consumption are high, yet as always it corresponds with a time of year when deliveries have ended and availability is waning for many of the most popular coffees, primarily the coffees from Mexico and Central America. There are still great coffees available and the “C” market remains shamefully low, so if you haven’t done it yet, it’s time to load up and cover for the next several months. Following is a regional review of what remains in stock and my personal recommendations in both the top shelf gourmet category and the quality high value realm from our southern neighbors.
Mexico
Our final containers of the year from Mexico arrived this week, so this is an ideal country to examine what remains and what stands out.
The Cuppers –
40123 – Francisco Javier Montel Valencia Typica – COE finalist – extraordinary cup with floral, lush, spicy flavors bordering on magical realism. Extreme top shelf.
39522-3 – Pluma Oaxaca Los Naranjos Pochutla – Classic Pluma, refined caramel
39185/38186 – Finca San Carlos – crystal clear sweet cinnamon
40103 – FTO Oaxaca CEPCO – thick lush cinnamon and caramel; Jaime Hernandez lives
39399 – FTO Jaltenango y Montecristo de Guerrero – focused density and honey cinnamon
The Tasty Values –
39852 – Organic Chiapas El Triunfo Altura – not pretty but sweet and luscious cup and easy on the wallet
40009 – FTO Oaxaca CEPCO – brother to 40103, nearly as good, FT Minimum priced
Guatemala
This was a stellar year for Los Chapines and many fine coffees are still available
The Beasts –
39583 – Quiche Finca Los Caballitos
39652 – Huehuetenango Finca la Bendicion – “A” Grade in all categories
39780 – Genuine Antigua Bella Carmona Duenas – Superb rich chocolate
The Steals –
40107 – SHB EP – clean thick caramel and butterscotch and sinfully cheap
39557 – San Martin Jilotepeque – Estate quality, regional SHB price
39916 – Huehuetenango MAM – dusky tropical fruit flavor
40080 – Organic Huehuetenango from Asobagri – Great coffee, great deal
Honduras
The silent Central American coffee giant just keeps getting better every year
The Medal Winners –
39769 – Santa Elena Catracha Dulce Meloso – Finest Honduras in our warehouse
38627 – FTO Marcala Raos – Rich tangy caramel subtle chocolate
39572 – Organic Santa Barbara Cielito Lindo – sweet and juicy, coffee Kool Aid
The Moneymakers –
39094 – Marcala COMSA SHB – Can’t miss, well balanced blender
38428 – RFA Siguatepeque El Jaguar – Top shelf Central quality at budget price
38953 – Organic San Marcos – sweet full bodied clean organic
El Salvador
Tiny country, fancy coffees
The Performers –
39437 – Ahuachapan Finca San Carlos
39256/39257 – Aida Batlle Ethiopia and Kenya process lots
38737 – San Rafael Los Naranjos – perennial favorite, Costa Rica substitute
Nicaragua
A slide into mediocrity, but still a few winners
The Stand Alones –
39037 – Organic Paraiso – hefty and herbal
39584 – Organic Segovia Ojo de Agua – top notes all categories
38108 – FT Organic Alta de Jinotega – stand out Central FTO, minimally priced
38321 – FT Organic Segovia Miraflor – well rounded velvety Royal veteran
Costa Rica
Producing less coffee every year but consistently great deliveries again this year. We are on the verge of running out, buy now if needed
The Alphas –
40059 – El Diamante Carlos Fernandez – top shelf, bring your American Express
38059/38060 – El Vapor Dota Tarrazu – Superbly bright full and clean
39888-1 – Monteverde Honey Process – bright, creamy and sweet
The best remaining deal that will be gone in a week –
37890/37890M – Dota Tarrazu Santa Maria – quintessential Tarrazu, unpretentious price
Panama
The ever-dwindling coffee export nation
The Fascinating –
38573-3 – Los Naranjos Lerida Natural Catuai – dizzying tropical fruit flavors
The Old School Classic –
39737 – Boquete SHB – tight balance of caramel and cola, tastes just like Costa Rica
It’s not easy sleuthing out the highlights amongst our vast offerings but hopefully this succinct string of suggestions will help you with your end of the year Mesoamerican shopping. As I say, now is the time to get this done. Thank you for your ongoing support.
