Coffee has become a part of the daily lives of millions of people around the world. One unusual term you may have come across is "microlot coffee." So, what exactly is microlot coffee, and why has it earned a reputation as an exquisite and unique coffee experience? In this article, we delve into the world of microlot coffee, its origins, the brewing process, and its impact on the coffee industry.
What is Microlote coffee?
Micro-lot coffees They are small batches of the highest quality coffee selections and often have unique flavors and tasting notes. Microlots are grown in a specific, dedicated plot. The cherries are harvested together and kept separate from other coffees grown on the same farm. This special attention allows for complete traceability and transparency in the process, producing a highly sustainable, small-production specialty coffee with exceptional tasting notes.
The coffee produced in each plot can vary depending on multiple factors, such as the altitude of the plot, the number of shade trees, or the difference in coffee varietals. Our farmers experiment by planting new varieties at different altitudes and with varying sun exposure, and by applying creative processing methods to create new coffee offerings. This method results in new coffee flavors that differ from the other profiles produced on our farms.
The micro-lot coffee process
Selection: The microlot coffee process begins with the identifying the perfect location with ideal growing conditions. Selection includes factors such as altitude, soil type, shade, and surrounding vegetation. These variables play a key role in influencing the flavor and quality of coffee beans.
Cultivation: Farmers cultivate micro-lot coffee with meticulous care, following strict standards and paying attention to every detail. They usually use sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. , such as organic fertilizers and pest control methods.
Harvesting: The grains They are picked by hand when they reach their optimum ripeness, ensuring that only the best beans are selected for micro-lot production. This manual process ensures that the beans are not damaged during harvesting.
Processing: Processing techniques play a crucial role in determining the final flavor and quality of microlot coffee . Farmers choose between natural, washed, or honey processing methods. , which remove the outer layers of the coffee fruit to reveal the seed or bean hidden inside.
Selection and Grading: Micro-lot coffee grading standards are stricter than those for regular whole bean coffee. The beans are sorted by size, color, and density, ensuring that only the finest beans make it into the final batch.
Roasting: Due to its exceptional quality, microlot coffee requires greater attention to detail during roasting. Roasters often experiment with different roast levels to highlight the unique flavor profiles hidden within the beans.
Cupping and Quality Control: To further ensure quality, microlot coffee undergoes a cupping process. Expert cuppers evaluate each lot based on its flavor, aroma, acidity, body, and other unique characteristics.
Characteristics of micro-lot coffee
Various actors in the coffee business, including farmers, cooperatives/processors, exporters/importers, coffee traders/roasters, etc., use the term microlot in different ways and refer to different things.
- Organically healthy coffee that has been treated with extra care and offers an exceptional cup of coffee.
- A huge amount of coffee that has been sifted and processed more meticulously than other larger batches.
- Lot and farm sizes and prices per pound for certain output quantities.
- Originating from a specific area of a farm or at a specific elevation. A varietal/cultivar (the type of coffee) like Blue Mountain is only available in a single lot.
- A large amount is collected and processed on the same day.
- A particular lot that has been deemed notable in terms of tasting scores and desired attributes.
- It can come from a single farm or from a group of farms in the same area.
- Standards of excellence with best practices in agricultural methods, food processing, and storage protection.
Microlot coffee represents the epitome of quality, craftsmanship and dedication to producing exceptional coffee beans. This unique and limited type of coffee allows consumers to experience and savor flavors, aromas, and textures that cannot be found in ordinary coffee. As micro-lot coffee gains popularity, it pushes the coffee industry to innovate and strive for excellence, benefiting everyone involved in the process, from farmers to coffee lovers.