November 2023 - Can You Taste the Island?

November 2023’s Coffee Origin
Dominican Republic
Nuevo Mundo Estate Don Alfredo
Winey (Natural)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Region: Sierra Central
Varietals: Caturra
Growing Elevation: 4700+ feet
Process: Winey - Natural
Flavour Profile and Notes: GO CUP YOURSELF and find out!

This Month's Coffee Selection
A process we haven't tried from an origin we haven't Cupped!
This month's coffee was an exciting find for us. As the title suggests, it was processed as a "Winey" Natural, which sounded interesting. By Winey, the producer is describing a process whereby the coffee beans were left to dry in the cherries fruit pulp. While drying, the beans act like a sponge and absorb some of the cherry's flavour. The beans are then further Natural processed, sun dried and prepared for export. The green coffee is left with a strawberry and tropical fruit smell that is evident from the moment the bag is opened. Once roasted, the result is a jammy, sweet toffee, full bodied coffee with a soft lingering aftertaste.

This month's origin is the Nuevo Mundo Estate of Sierra Central, Dominican Republic. It is operated by Mr. Alfredo Diaz, who embraces practices that celebrate the heritage of the island. It is Mr. Diaz's insistence on developing and experimenting with quality coffee that distinguishes Nuevo Mundo Estate coffees as noteworthy for the region. Grown at altitudes of 4700+ feet above sea level under ideal coffee growing conditions, this coffee should offer us a glimpse into what the Dominican Republic can offer.

Roaster’s Notes:
As mentioned, this month's coffee was new to us. While we've roasted and Cupped Haitian coffees (Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola), this was our first offering from the Dominican Republic side. By appearance alone, the green Dominican Republic coffee appeared far more consistent than the Haitian coffees we've tried.  Similar to our previous Hispaniola offerings, this coffee required a relatively low charge temperature and high level of attention to achieve an even roast.  While our Haitian coffees have tasted better as a full medium to dark roast, this Dominican Republic offering is delightful as a medium roast. 

To offer you the best of all worlds, we roasted several batches (some full medium and some light medium) and blended them to create a balanced cup with some of the floral notes that disperse once you reach a medium roast. 

While cupping this month look for hints of floral notes (hint, we called it Violet) followed by …wait a minute, if you want cupping notes Go Cup Yourself!

Once you have finished Cupping, click on the “EXPERT TASTED” tab for our tasting notes. Can’t wait to compare notes.

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