About the Harlow Ivy Blend...
 
Components:
Kenya Kiambu estates - Natural
El Salvador, Las Mercesdes - Washed
Brazil Fazenda Natureza - Natural
 
Kenya - Kiambu Estates:
 
Producer: Mixed Kiambu region estates
Altitude: 1950 MASL
Process: Natural
Variety: SL28, SL34, Batian, Ruiru 11
 
Speciality natural processing is a rarity in Kenya. Selected cherries are dried in the sun on raised African beds for up to 6 weeks. The cherries are carefully turned to ensure consistent drying process and prevent over-fermentation or mould formation and are covered at night and during rain to protect against moisture damage.
 
Kiambu county is located just outside of Nairobi city. The region has a long history of coffee production and is famous for its large estates, which were originally built by British colonists in the early 20th century. After decolonisation the estates were sold to local Kenyans who have been managing them since. While estates such as this used to produce the majority of Kenyan coffee, the increased urban sprawl from Nairobi, as well as the increasing land value in the region has meant that estate coffee production has gradually diminished, while smallholder production elsewhere has increased.
 
El Salvador - Las Mercedes:
 
Producer: Jose Fernando Aguilar
Altitude: 1350-1700 MASL
Process: Washed
Variety: Pacamara, Pacas, Marsellesa,
Custcatleco, ‘Kenia’ and Bourbon
 
For six generations, the Aguilar family has produced coffee on the shade-rich land on the north-eastern slope of the San Salvador Volcano, with a direct view over the capital city of San Salvador. The estates cover nearly 160 hectares at altitudes ranging from 1,250 to 1,700 meters (4,100 to 5,577 feet), the top of the farm being unusually high for El Salvador and lending to great coffee growing potential. 
 
Las Mercedes and sister estate Santa Maria are surrounded by 100 hectares of nature reserve designated as a part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor, including a remarkable ‘mini rainforest’ with a noticeable temperature drop as you reach the very highest coffee areas. 
 
Given the importance of the preservation of the forest, the Aguilar family, in conjunction with a local NGO, have two park rangers that look after the protected natural forest year-round.
 
Brazil Nartueza:
 
Producer: Minasul co-operatives
Altitude: 900-1100 MASL
Process: Natural
Variety: Mundo Nuvo, IPR-30, Cattura, Bourbon,
 
The Natureza lot is part of the quality labels by Minasul co-op.
Its intention is to be a classic sul de minas profile 83+ with the nice chocolate base and citric acidity fruit notes.
This coffee is built by the co-operative's quality team originating from the 7000 producing members.
 
Minasul is a world leading co-operative that has been supporting Sul de Minas coffee producers since 1958. With exports beginning only in 2016, Minasul has since been actively opening markets to bring more value to their producing members.