Expressions: Structured, Balanced & Smooth
Region: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras
Altitude: Various

The Signature Long Pour “LP” is the staple of consistency just like that of the timeless recording format introduced in the late 1940s. The nostalgia in this roast will remind to slow down and not only enjoy the coffee but appreciate being present in the moment. This blend reminds us of the great recordings from the Prestige, Blue Note, Columbia labels featuring such artist as Hank Mobley, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, and others who dared to create new sounds while remaining rooted in classical technique.

Whole Bean

Notes: Cherry, Chocolate, Nutty
Region: Nariño
Altitude: 1,600 - 2,200 masl
Process: Washed
Species: 100% Arabica

MEDIUM ROAST

A nod to both the peak grade of Colombian coffee (Supremo) and what is arguably the peak of John Coltrane's repertoire (A Love Supreme), "Love Supremo" is bright enough for breakfast and rich enough for dinner. Grown in Southwest Colombia, in the Nariño region along the Pacific coast, this medium roast has a creamy silkiness, bright acidity, and complex cocoa and cherry flavors with a sweet long finish. Like 'Trane's four-part masterpiece, this roast is resonant, profound and transcendent.

Net Weight, 12 oz

Notes: Strawberry Pound Cake, Lemongrass, Sugar Cane

Region: Uraga, Guji, Ethiopia
Altitude: 2095-2122 masl
Process: Washed

Species: 100% Arabica

Inspired by the sound of mid century artist Mulatu Astatke, comes Ethereal. Considered by many to be the father of Ethio-Jazz, he brought forth a unique blend of latin influences, traditional Ethiopian modal systems, and the popular notes of New York City. The album cover of his 1965 compilation The Story of Ethio Jazz (released in '09), is what motivated the art of Ethereal. 

Origin Story

Found deep within the green hills of Ethiopia, is the Uraga district. Its high elevation is home to the Odola TebeArowacho washing station, owned by Zelalem Alemu (established in 2016). Though tucked away inside dense forests and mountains, this land offers the perfect conditions for slower ripening times (resulting in flavorful and bright coffees). An interesting charm about the smallhold producers of Uraga (as well as in Ethiopia itself), is that most of them grow cherries right in their own backyards (and collect those naturally occurring in the surrounding areas). These “garden farmers” are part of generations, and their wealth of knowledge (and willingness to continue learning) is evident in their coffee.

Coffee Origin: South Kivu growing region, Democratic Republic of the Congo

MEDIUM ROAST
Famously known as the birthplace of Jazz, Congo Square was the place where slaves in New Orleans were free to gather--but only on Sunday afternoons--to play music, sing, and dance. The African and Caribbean cultural practices that thrived there planted the seeds for New Orleans' jazz, second-line, and Mardi Gras Indian traditions.

This coffee comes from South Kivu in the majestic Great Lakes Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the origin that inspired the name for the New Orleans square. With bright and jubilant notes, fruity lemon and orange citrus flavors as well as deep chocolate aromas, it’s akin to how we imagine the vibrancy of the square was —with its Afro-Caribbean sounds of brass, the rhythms of the Bamboula, and the permeating (albeit fleeting) feeling of freedom and transcendence felt there.

Blind Assessment: High-toned, resinously nutty, intensely sweet. Wild honey, plum, magnolia, mesquite, pistachio in aroma and cup. Sweet-tart structure with savory-leaning acidity; viscous, nectar-like mouthfeel. Gentle, sweetly rich finish with notes of wild honey, pistachio and mesquite into the long.

Notes: Dark chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, red fruit
Region: Cerrado Mineiro
Altitude: 800–1,300 masl
Process: Natural

Origin Story

Bossa Nova translated literally means “new wave”, and this particular roast represents a post 3rd wave expression. The Cerrado Mineiro region is the first “Designation of Origin” in Brazil, located in the northwest of the Minas Gerais state in central part of the country. The coffees under this Designation of Origin are “Origin and Quality Guaranteed” by the Cerrado Minerio Region –D.O. Regulatory Board, and each bag carries a QR code connecting it to the specific farm and farmer who produced the coffee. This adds an additional layer of traceability which is often difficult in the massive coffee growing regions of Brazil.

Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world, and production of coffee in Brazil is unique, in that Brazilian farms tend to have flatter elevations, less shade cover, and more manicured fields. They also use mechanical harvesters and produce far more coffee per hectare than other origins. Coffee in Cerrado Mineiro grows between 800-1300 meters above sea level and has very distinct rainy and dry seasons, creating the distinctive coffee of the region.

This lot is from Mercon Specialty’s LIFT sustainability program. LIFT is working with a group of farmers in Araxa, who are extremely dedicated to high quality. LIFT is helping the group digitalize their farm management, and to continue to respect the highest environmental standards in terms of biodiversity preservation of the Atlantic Forest.