What's in the Box: Ethiopia Muda Tatesa Natural and Nicaragua Yellow Catuai Natural

Naturals drying at Muda Tatesa

The fruity naturals keep rolling through our roaster these days. We have two more for our single origin subscribers this month! One from Guji, Ethiopia and the other from Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Behind both of these coffees are innovative specialty coffee producers who are uniquely attuned to their regions and how best to process their varieties.

At some of Ethiopia’s most extreme altitudes lies Guji’s Uraga region, a dense, mountainous forest that spans almost a thousand miles. Within this immense forest is an array of distinct sub-regions where we find some of the most extraordinary and sought-after coffees we’ve ever tasted—and this one comes from Dagne Chomen, an experienced cupper who is highly attuned to the opportunities for this region’s coffees. Dagne recently opened his washing station Welichu Wachu in Muda Tatesa at the center of Guji to collect coffee from all over Uraga’s vast forests from elevations as high as 2,300 masl. 

Yellow Catuai Variety

Uraga coffees are profoundly nuanced with an unparalleled piquant florality and a bright, complex acidity—like lime and bergamot—backed by stone fruit sweetness—like ripe peaches. This sun-dried natural Muda Tatesa lot does not have an overly-fermented taste. Rather, it is silky smooth and complex with delicate floral and fruity notes of lavender, peach, lime, and blueberry. 

Central American coffee is not typically associated with tropical and fruity flavors. Coffees from Finca Un Regalo De Dios in Nicaragua, however, are groundbreaking. We welcome back this Yellow Catuai Natural for the third year. 

Finca Un Regalo De Dios is a lush little oasis where the coffee is treated with utmost care and attention. The naturals are slowly and carefully dried for around 30-35 days, creating a sweet, fruity, and chocolaty coffee. You’ll get notes of hazelnut, chocolate, mango, and papaya—your taste buds will be dancing from all of the flavor! This is a perennial favorite around here. 

Finca Un Regalo De Dios

It’s no surprise that this stellar coffee is from Luis Alberto Balladarez, who extensively cups in his own lab to separate or blend together coffees. He has placed many times in the Cup of Excellence (COE) competition, and he won 1st place a few years back. His accolades—and his coffee—speak volumes about his skill!

Tell us what your favorite coffee from this month’s subscription box! Let us know in the comments below.