We have just released our new Sweetshop blend, and what a blend it is.
50% Gatuya AA (Kenya) / 50% Bella Carmona (Guatemala)
Our previous Sweetshop blend (50% Trapiche / 50% Nyawira AB) received great feedback, so this has made us determined to make the newest blend just as good if not better.
About two months ago we had Bella Carmona selling as a single origin espresso and we absolutely fell in love with it, and knew we had to try something special with this coffee before it ran out. Bella Carmona is a washed mix of Caturra and Bourbon varieties grown at 1500-1900 masl. It gives the blend a lovely butterscotch texture, and soft gooseberry acidity, alongside delicious mandarin notes.
Grown by the Zelaya family, who have been growing coffee in Antigua for generations, owning several farms on the slopes of the volcanoes. This altitude makes the climate and soil perfect for coffee production. Maria Zelaya owns Hacienda Carmona and her nephew Luis Pedro owns Bella Vista, together their coffees make up the Bella Carmona lot which they processed at Luis’ own mill. Rather than drying the coffee on patios, this lot was dried on their new raised beds, which has produced a really sweet and soft fruity cup of coffee. With several Cup of Excellence wins under their belt, the Zelayas remain at the forefront of coffee production in Antigua and we’re very pleased to continue working with them.
The other side of our new Sweetshop is from the popular Gatuya Coffee Factory in Kenya. Its a washed process AA lot mix of sl28, sl34 varieties. We strive to make sweetshop as fun, delicious and wacky as possible. Adding Gatuya AA brings that citrus, jammy texture and super sweet blackberry flavours to the blend. Kenya is definitely one of my favourite origins for coffee, it’s always an exciting time at the roastery when the truck arrives with 20 odd pallets of coffee for us.
The Gatuya Coffee Factory lies just outside of Kahuro town, on 9 acres of gently sloping hillsides. Established in 1962 and currently led by manager Ephantus Gathungu, it serves 1150 members from the nearby villages of Gitura, Gichu, Karachi and Gathima. 11 permanent members of staff and 30 seasonal employees ensure that all the coffee delivered in harvest season is weighed, graded and processed to the highest standards. The favourable combination of altitudes around 1750 masl, abundant rainfall and 99% SL28 cherries means this factory has seen production and prices rise steadily since 2002. We’re proud to add our support by buying our first ever lot from Gatuya.
For me personally, this blend ticks all the boxes for it to be called Sweetshop. Over the years we’ve had some amazing blends, and I really think this one is up there with the best. It’s fruity, zesty and full bodied, so if you’re looking for something that’s out there and different, this is the coffee for you. It reminds me of the fizzy fruity sweets I used to get in my local shop as a kid (10 penny mix), which brings back some nice memories when I’m drinking it.
I hope you enjoy this coffee.
