Drop #4: San Carlos Double-fermented Washed Chiroso

Drop #4 launching on Instagram (@basecoatcoffee) November 14th!

About the San Carlos Project:

Similar to the Black Condor Project, the Chiroso de San Carlos Project from Forest Coffee is about supporting hardworking farmers of Urrao, Antioquia growing the Chiroso variety. Every harvest, this project brings together 10 producers at a time, teaching them new processing techniques to improve quality and helping Urrao gain recognition in the world of specialty coffee.

Since 2023, this project has helped incubate careers for specialty coffee producer superstars, like Carmen Montoya and Santiago Caro. Over time, the project has grown to support more hands-on workshops to master various processing methods. Beyond just improving producers' practices and education, Forest Coffee is ensuring that farmers are paid fairly and that each batch is traceable.

About this Chiroso:

This chiroso lot is fermented 12 hours aerobically (open containers) before being de-pulped and then fermented again in a sealed plastic tank for another 36 hours. Finally, the coffee is washed and patio sun-dried for 12 to 16 days, depending on weather.

We're excited about this coffee because we feel we're supporting the future of specialty coffee producers careers in the Urrao community. Plus, we're getting to contribute to their economic growth early on. Most of these farms are small -- about 1.5 hectares, so combining lots helps create a better sales channel and opportunity for these producers.

This drop is being prepared in two options. For a week, it is offered as a roast experiment of 3x 60g bags. Then, it's available as a standard 200g bag offering under the nordic roast and light-medium roast profile.

• Roast experiment lets you participate in 3 blind tastings of 60g bags to evaluate 3 different roast curves. After the drops have been released, profile info and my own sensory feedback will be shared alongside any collected feedback from tasters!
• Standard bag lets you support the producer, exporter, and the project without having to buy and drink coffee you're less interested in. You still get to observe and critique my roast progress at your preferred lightness and in bigger quantities.

Note that roast level selection does not apply to experiments sent out.