Description

Relationship Blend, a blend of all the coffees purchased through our relationship with Caravela (was Virmax).

Colombia and Caravela

Throughout the world, Colombia is recognised as the largest producer of quality Arabica coffee. In 2008 Quaffee was fortunate enough to be introduced to Virmax, who are now know as Caravela. Caravela is a pioneer of Direct Trade, they have worked closely with the farmers assisting them from seedlings in the nursery, to shade planting of the saplings, to productive coffee plants. Then from there to the picking, processing, packaging and then offering coffee to roasters that want to work direct with the growers, with Caravela as a facilitator.

This relationship with the growers has been in place for close on two decades now, and with the assistance of Caravela the growers have developed a following among many roasters that are keen to reward growers directly for great coffee.

Quaffee has been working with the fruits of this relationship since 2008. In 2012 to blend a coffee from only those offered from this relationship, and named the blend Relationship.

Balancing the blend

Essential in producing a coffee blend is having an end-goal in mind. The Relationship blend’s end goal was to be a coffee that could produce a good espresso, season on season. While still lending itself to the popularity of cappuccino and latte espresso based preparations. All coffees used in this blend can easily stand on their own to be enjoyed in their own way, so ensuring that each coffee contributes something to the blend was important.

Coffees in the blend are from the South of Colombia: La Piramide (from Cauca, Inza) and Asorganica (also from Cauca, but El Tambo and Timbio), and have stone fruit, jasmine and an earthy body. They provide the Umami for the blend. Los Naranjos (from the ever impressive San Agustin, Huila area) adds more Citrus fruit and a white wine acidity to complement this intense body. The sparkle in the blend introduced through the fruit acidity and sweetness of Los Idolos (also from Huila).

Relationship Blend

The result is a coffee that can still impress even with milk added. Complexity is preserved, making if very drinkable and enjoyable.

Regions:	Cauca and Huila, Colombia
Processing:	All coffees are wet processed, and then solar dried on raised and parabolic beds.
Harvest Time:	May / June (Major) Sept/Oct (Minor)
Cultivars:	100% Arabica (Caturra and Colombia F6)
Altitude grown:	1,500 – 1,900 meters above sea level (masl)
Producer Group:	Caravela Relationship growers
Intensity/Prime Attribute:	Fruity on the nose with almonds and brown sugar. A medium bodied coffee, able to tolerate milk well
Roast used:	Varies per coffee, but all coffees drop just before second crack.
Our brews:	Brew Method Ratio Brew Method Ratio Espresso 1:2.2 AeroPress 16g:200g Plunger 48g:600g Pour over/filter 18g:300g