August Mystery Coffee Reveal - Kafar

It was a bumpy ride, but we are there. It's time to finally reveal the details about Kafar's Mystery Coffee! We also have a new record for monthly submitted guesses - 123!

About the coffee:

This coffee comes from one of the most famous (and expensive) coffee producers in the world - Jamison Savage.

The lot is called Inflection. It is a carbonic maceration washed Caturra. Processing goes as follows:

1. Coffee cherries are washed and depulped.

2. Coffee beans go to steel tanks for 3 to 5 days fermentation phase with carbon dioxide in low temperatures.

3. Once the target pH is reached, coffee beans are dried on African beds.

4. When the coffee has dried to approximately 11% it is bagged in grain-pro and stored in Bodega where temperatures are cool and stable. This seasoning process is critical to Deborah’s quality control. Reposo/rest provides the coffee an opportunity to settle and equalize its moisture content as well as absorb more flavor from it’s shell or parchment.  After the requisite rest the coffee is hulled, sorted by size, density, color, and shape.

About the farm:

Located in Panama, more precisely in the region of Volcan, Chiriqui province. The plantation is at 1900+ meters above the sea level and it's one of the most remote coffee farms in Panama. This region is ideal for coffee production: the volcanic soil, the high elevation, the perfect balance between rain and tropical sun permit to give life to unique coffee plants. Finca Deborah's commitment to the environment is remarkable: the farm is fully powered by solar generation system and people who work in this farm is focused on safeguard the ecology for generations to come.  Geisha cultivation is a serious matter and workers are devoted professionals, centered on excellence. Harvest is meticulously monitored, coffee is handpicked, just the ripest cherries are collected.

Jamison Savage has dedicated himself to build a next-gen facility for coffee processing  in Panama with a strong environmental focus. Pesticides or toxins are not used on the farm. Elevated at exceedingly high altitudes and being one of the highest and more isolated farms in Panama, the farms runs on solar power and within a harmonious ecosystem. Jamison believes that coffee trees are at their best when surrounded by the local flora and fauna. This true, holistic and sustainable approach to farming, ingenuity and creativity coupled with advanced technological practices, makes Jamison one of the most impressive high-end coffee producers in the world.

About the selection:

This month was coordinated by Dawid.

The first coffee this year from 2023 harvest. It was shipped directly from Panama via air in July. It reached the EU at the end of the month, and with all the customs procedures required by the EU for this type of product, it reached Kafar during the first week of August. That's one of the reasons it was delayed.

I had a choice between natural and washed lots; I cupped both, liked washed the best, and also noticed that natural has this distinct Savage processing taste to me. It would be easy to guess for some. Washed also had some of this aftertaste, but without thinking about Savage coffees, it would be hard to guess. 

I selected this coffee on purpose. It's Panama season, and I knew a lot of you would be spending silly amounts of money on Savage beans. Now you know what this terroir can give you and what Savage processing really tastes like. I feel like sometimes the name of the farm, varietal, and fancy bags are responsible for a big chunk of our experience and how we percept the coffee. Maybe this MCL round will help you decide if 50€ per 100g of highly processed Geisha is worth the buy, or maybe you prefer to wait for some other Panama lots that come to the EU a little bit later. 

Only 4 people were right about country of origin this month. Congrats to erbse, Paul.Hedonii, bikepop and Pizzaburn!

TOP3 of August 2023 round:
1. erbse - 20 points
2. Mobius - 20 points
3. Paul.Hedonii, bikepop - 19 points

Quick look at our quarterly standings where erbse is leading with 41 points. Followed by Chris and Raiv with 34 points respectively.

TOP3 of Q3 2023:
1. erbse - 41 points
2. Chris - 34 points
3. Raiv - 34 points

Sami is leading the 2023 MCL Season with 145 points. Followed by Jarg89 and EricS with 132 and 127 points respectively.

TOP3 of 2023 Season:
1. Sami - 145 points
2. Jarg89 - 132 points
3. EricS - 127 points

In September, we have our last comeback this year - Shokunin from Rotterdam. You can still order coffee and join the league this month! More details on our Discord or here.

Reminder about our monthly giveaway of the Mystery Coffee and Coffee of the Month which is going to start soon on Discord. Make sure to check Discord for more details.

Roaster's line-up for the next three months:
SEPTEMBER 23 - Shokunin from Rotterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
OCTOBER 23 - Nero Scuro from San Giuseppe 🇮🇹
NOVEMBER 23 - Special Guests from London🇬🇧

Mystery Coffee League is sponsored by Acaia, 1zpresso, Kruve and ACME.

You can join Mystery Coffee League at anytime! Just join our Discord and feel free to ask any questions!

Thanks to Herman for beautiful pics!