Dear subscriber,
This month, I have selected three different hybrid cultivars that were developed by human beings through cross-pollination of different coffee plants. They were developed in three different countries, but with the same purpose of combating coffee leaf rust while maintaining quality in the cup.
It is still debated whether these hybrid cultivars can produce high-quality coffees or not. The answer is yes, they can, but like with all coffee, it depends on growing conditions, processing, drying, etc.
Continue reading or check out this month’s subscription tasting video to learn more about the coffees.
Finca El Puente Batian (1st & 4th bag)
Batian is actually a Kenyan hybrid cultivar, but this particular coffee was grown in Honduras by our friends Marysabel Caballero and Moises Herrera. Some years ago, they planted a small amount of these trees, and over the last years the quality has improved and the productivity has increased.
This particular lot is from a small plot they call La Laguna, which Marysabel and Moises planted inside an existing small forest surrounding a small lagoon near their mill. They were inspired by our own farm project, Finca El Suelo in Colombia, and decided to plant this Batian inside the forest.
Since the trees were planted, they have only applied compost and avoided the use of fungicides and NPK fertilizers. Last year, we decided to make it a test plot for the biological farming trials we are conducting with Biofilia. Whether our trials have an effect, we will have to wait and see in the coming year, but you can learn more about the project in our podcast episode number 43.
Although this is a Kenyan hybrid cultivar, it is far from a Kenyan-style coffee in the cup. This coffee also comes from young trees, so we assume they have not reached their full quality potential yet. I personally find it to have a beautiful violet-like floral note, with hints of red fruits and plums.
Cielito Lindo (2nd & 5th bag)
Cielito Lindo is a small parcel of land owned by Extreberto Caceres Gutierrez, who is the father of Jobneel Caceres Dios, the owner of Finca Nacimiento and now managing both farms.
Both farms are situated at the top of the El Cielito branch of the Santa Barbara mountain in Honduras, where Cielito Lindo is located at the very top of the mountain, just below a forest reserve.
You might not know that we actually bought coffee from Extreberto back in 2008 at the Cup of Excellence. I really loved his fruity coffee and was shocked when I found out that it came from a Catimor cultivar, the Ihcafe 90.
I liked the coffee so much that I decided to visit the farm in 2009 to see if we could start buying directly from Extreberto. The intention was to visit Extreberto, but I was met by his son Jobneel instead, and that was the start of a long relationship and the work we have done together over the last decade.
This coffee always surprises me with the distinct winey red fruit flavours, balanced with a lingering cacao-like finish.
Finca Tamana Castillo Tambo (3rd & 6th bag)
Finally, the coffees from Finca Tamana are back.
Castillo is the advanced Variedad Colombia hybrid developed by the Colombian research organisation Cenicafe. The researchers spent over 30 years breeding this cultivar, which is resistant to leaf rust and has the potential to produce good cup quality.
This particular Castillo comes from the regional selection named Tambo. The flavour is quite herbal up front, especially when the coffee is hot. As it cools, I taste a lot more sweetness, with a touch of red fruits and a lingering chocolaty finish.
This is a type of coffee where a smooth and dense texture, with loads of sweetness, is what I am looking for.
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