Join us on a whistle-stop tour of India and Colombia in search of the best beans to share with you, courtesy of our featured roaster, Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters.
Coffee from India
Ratnagiri Estate
A specialty coffee farm covering 117 hectares, Ratnagiri produces an impressive amount of coffee.
The estate practices organic and biodynamic farming, as well as being Rainforest Alliance certified. It is also home to over 48 species of birds, as well as monkeys, wild boars, leopards, tigers, and elephants.
Around the world, Ratnagiri Estate coffee is a popular choice for those seeking fine flavours. Besides being subject to high-quality standards, the farm has its own water supply from two fresh water streams that follow strict guidelines of the government quality and pollution control boards.
Its quality is a direct result of a drive for excellence, coupled with a desire to protect and maintain the lush environment in which it is grown & processed.
Ratnagiri Flavour Profile
A Catuai variety omni-roast with notes of hazelnut, milk chocolate, and brown sugar.
This coffee is perfect for expresso, mokapot, AeroPress, and cafetiere, but it also tastes great in filter and pourer brewers.
A great all-rounder that can be enjoyed at any time.
Colombian Coffee Argelia
The Association de Transformadores y Comercializadores de Cafe Especiales de Argelia Cauca (ARGCAFFE) group shares a history with many other producers.
Five years ago, a small group of producers from the neighbourhood began to work together to achieve better prices for their coffee.
ARGCAFEE's future goals include implementing a coca-reduction incentive program in which producers will be given an enhanced premium price if they choose to replant portions of their land with coffee rather than coca.
Argelia Flavour Profile
It has classic Colombian flavour, with plenty of juiciness and cherry acidity, and then a generous amount of caramel. Look out for a hint of toffee apple to strike the balance.
As with Ratnagiri, the Argelia can be brewed in any manner and enjoyed at any time of the day.
Fully-Washed Coffee Processing
Fully-washed, or wet process, refers to the process of pulping coffee cherries by machine, which removes the red and yellow outer skin of the fruits. As soon as this is done, the seeds are then fermented in water for 1-2 days, or sometimes even longer.
Sugars and amino acids are released during fermentation, which gives coffee its delicious flavour.
In coffee processing, washing is by far the most common method and often produces the best quality coffee.
This process produces some of the world's finest, and most expensive, coffees.
Colombia - Huila E.A. Decaf
Colombia produces some of the world's best coffees, and the country's decaf offerings are no exception.
Huila is divided by the Magdalena River, which flows through the Cordillera Mountains. Coffee farms are found on the western and eastern slopes of the mountain range, at very high altitudes. This is why coffee from the Huila region is known for its complex acidity.
The acidity, sweetness, and aroma of Huila coffee make it a favourite coffee origin among roasters and café owners.
Huila Flavour Profile
This light to medium roast blend features notes of sticky toffee pudding, chocolate, and black cherry. Super clean and refreshing.
It is suitable for all types of brewing methods, including espresso and cafetiere.
Ethyl Acetate (E.A.) Decaf Process
With this innovative process created in Colombia, where sugar cane grows abundantly, the cellular structure of the coffee bean is preserved and even enhanced for greater sweetness.
The fermentation of molasses derived from sugar cane is used to produce ethanol. Using ethanol and acetic acid, ethyl acetate (E.A.) is created.
Wet coffee beans are soaked in water to increase moisture content and release caffeine. 97% of the caffeine is removed during this process.
Meet Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters
In 2014, Chris Holloway and Ed Peck founded Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters, Liverpool's first specialty roastery.
Originally green coffee traders, they helped small roasters get set up in the UK, and when they realised Liverpool needed a specialty roaster, they made it happen.
They have now grown to a team of 12, moved premises two years ago (at the beginning of the first Covid-19 pandemic UK lockdown), and are in the process of getting a larger roaster to keep up with demand, but the company's approach, values, and ethos remain unchanged. They hope to continue growing, adding to the team, and introducing even more people to a great cup of coffee.
Passion and love for coffee are evident in the way they source, cup, and roast, as well as how they continue to bring us incredible blends.
Neighbourhood's Ethical Approach
It is their mission to make specialty coffee accessible to as many people as possible, to demystify it and make it approachable. They strive to build long-term relationships with their suppliers, visit them frequently, and create a global neighbourhood of coffee producers and lovers.
For them, it's important to meet the farmers, get to know them and watch people enjoying the fruits of their hard work on the other side of the world. People are central to the experience the team, the farmers, the café partners, and home enthusiasts.
Known by name, they work only with farmers who are just as passionate about producing delicious coffee. The farmers are valued and are paid above fairtrade prices. This investment pays off because they only buy the highest quality coffee beans.
Don't Miss Out on Great Coffee
Subscribe to a Blue Coffee Box Subscription to experience rich and fragrant coffees like the Ratnagiri, Argelia, and Huila.
Here's what one of our happy customers had to say:
Was not sure what I'd get but the first two bags of coffee tasted lovely. The beans are from little farms that seem to have the whole family involved. Well done Blue Coffee." Andrea, Bury, UK.
If you want to learn more about coffee check this article out
