Our videocast: In My Mug
Episodes
Sunday Nov 27, 2016
Sunday Nov 27, 2016
Cerro Azul is one of the Mierisch family’s newer coffee projects in Honduras. The name 'Mierisch' might sound familiar; they have brought us Limoncillo, Escondida, San Jose and Mama Mina, to name just some of their amazing farms.
The Mierisch family have been growing coffee for 4 generations, going on 5, in Nicaragua. They have achieved great results with their special way of farming, and more importantly by reaching out to specialty buyers and being at the forefront of coffee development.
This farm is a new experiment for the Mierisch family. They're going across the border of their mother country and driving six hours from their home to neighbouring Honduras. I spoke with Erwin a lot about why they had made this decision, and it came down to his experiences as one of the Head Judges for the Cup of Excellence competitions in Honduras where he had seen amazing potential, but also a lack of care and attention to detail during the processing stage. This detail is vital to truly special coffee, and Erwin and his family are some of the best-qualified technicians of processing whom I have ever met. A match made in heaven.
In 2011 they started the project of revitalising Finca Cerro Azul in the region of the National Park Azul Meambar in Siguatepeque, Comayagua, Honduras, across El Cielito, Santa Barbara. The farm lies on the other side of Lake Yojoa, and is blessed with micro-climates and conditions which are familiar to the family, as they are similar to their lands in Nicaragua.
But the soil is something else, as is the plant stock they have inherited, and this is the first production they have been happy enough to share with special international friends. We are some of the first to taste the fruits of their hard work and long drives to the farm.
In the cup expect a heap of cherry, dark chocolate bitterness and a little bit of funky fruit. This coffee also has a delicate floral side, think Turkish Delight.
- Country: Honduras
- Community: Rio Bonito
- Municipality: Siguatepeque
- Department: Comayagua
- Farm Name: Finca Cerro Azul
- Farm Manager(s): Francisco Escobar and Lidia Zeledon
- Farm Owners: Family Mierisch
- Area: 135 hectares
- Elevation: 1,450-1,900 m.a.s.l.
- Diurnal temp cycle: Average High: 26 C Average Low: 16 C
- Varietal: Red Catuai
- Shade: Inga and Liquidambar
- Processing Method: Red Honey
CUPPING NOTES
Cherry, dark chocolate, funky fruit, floral, Turkish Delight.
Clean Cup: (1-8): 6
Sweetness: (1-8): 6
Acidity: (1-8): 7
Mouthfeel: (1-8): 8
Flavour: (1-8): 7
Aftertaste: (1-8): 6
Balance: (1-8): 6
Overall: (1-8): 7
Correction: (+36): +36
Total: (max 100): 88
Roasting Information
Medium Dark - first pops of second as it drops.
"Quick Look" Guide
Cherry, dark chocolate, funky fruit, floral, Turkish Delight.
Good filter?
Yes
Good espresso?
Yes