Willing Coffee
September Coffee - Monkaaba SL-28
September Coffee - Monkaaba SL-28
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Monkaaba SL-28
Blood Orange | Cola | Black Tea
- Variety: SL-28
- Country: Colombia
- Region: Kennedy, Sevilla, and La Muralla, San Agustin, Huila
- Process: Washed
- Altitude: 1670-1800 MASL
- Producer: Pastor Ordoñez, Damian Bolaños, Esnaider Ortega and Maria Alejandra Astudillo
- Roast Level: Light
250g
This is our first time featuring an SL-28 from Monkaaba, and this lot is special as it's comprised of a few of our favourite producers from the Monkaaba project including Esnaider Ortega and Pastor Ordoñez.
About The Producer
Monkaaba is a smallholder coffee grower empowerment initiative based in San Agustin and led by Esnaider Ortega Gomez and select other growers who have worked for many years to sell their coffee as a specialty. Many of them are associated loosely or directly with the Los Naranjos group and have, in recent years, begun to feel that they would like to develop more autonomy over the coffee production as well as involvement in its marketing and sales. Monkaaba’s goal then is to assist other growers in the area to not only find a better market for their coffee, one that pays a solid price, but also to invest in the knowledge and skill of producers in a way that ensures their future success.
Processing
Each producer follows their own process. Coffees were blended at delivery to the Monkaaba bodega to make an exportable lot. This SL28 blend features two of the producers that were in the first SL28 blend exported by Monkaaba, Esnaider Ortega and Damian Bolaños, and in a small quantity, a new female member of the project, Maria Alejandra Astudillo. All four of these growers are producers who have been committed to succeeding in the specialty market for years, and a part of that strategy has been to add new and unique varieties to their repertoire as a means of differentiation within the quality market. Of course, as is often the case with this group, the benefit of the whole is always prioritized. It was Esnaider and Augusto Ortega who first had SL28 seeds, and they proceeded to distribute them to various other growers in the Monkaaba network with the hope of seeing all of these producers benefit from this prized variety. Esnaider and others began planting SL28 in late 2020, and as is common knowledge of varietals or exotic varieties, it’s taken four years for these trees to produce anything of consequence. Even still, the first fruits of these types of crops were very limited, and as such, we made the collective decision to blend these coffees to see them exported and build a client base for these coffees going forward.
Variety
SL28 is among the most well-known and well-regarded varieties of Africa. It has consequently spread from Kenya, where it was originally selected in the 1930s, to other parts of Africa (it is important in Arabica-growing regions of Uganda, in particular) and now to Latin America. The variety is suited for medium to high altitudes and shows resistance to drought, but is susceptible to the major diseases of coffee. SL28 is notable for its rusticity—a quality meaning that it can be left untended for years or even decades at a time, and then return to successful production. There are SL28 trees in many parts of Kenya that are 60-80 years old and still productive.
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About SEPTEMBER COFFEE / Canada
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We're Natasha and Kyle and we are the two behind September who decided to leave our occupation to start a micro roastery in capital city of Canada, Ottawa.
Our approach is to highlight coffees that make us smile, spark conversation or bring a sense of curiosity while being traceable. Direct relationships with producers is often the goal, but when not possible we work with select importers who help us achieve this vision. We enjoy sharing coffees that are clean and sparkle, while also sharing coffees that are unique and inspiring.
While some start roasteries as barista champions etc, our background in coffee is not as traditional. Kyle's background is full time education and content creation in coffee on Youtube, social media and blogging. Our prior background is working as Pastors and Natasha's was in competitive dance. Our perspective for sourcing and roasting comes not only from being professionals in the industry but also being home barista enthusiasts.
ROASTING
Every roast should be able to reflect the hard work of each farmer and producer. Our approach is to ensure every cup has a high level of clarity so that this can be reflected by also revealing the sweetness and acidity naturally found in each coffee.
Our coffees aim to be light, bright and sweet, while achieving silky and memorable mouthfeel. We roast on a Loring S15 Falcon that we believe allows us to amalgamate this philosophy to your cup.
