New Imperial Reserve Coffee — Variety: Unknown / Colombia

Knowing every possible detail has become the expectation and mark of quality in the coffee world. Responsible practices are expressed through transparency and traceability. This sometimes creates a problem when some details cannot be discerned. One is left with the choice to simply make a best-educated guess or take the responsibility to dig deeper.

Andrew Miller of Café Imports was once presented with this predicament while cupping an exceptionally unique offering with the Banexport team in Huila. One coffee tasted so unlike all other coffees from the area that Andrew insisted they visit the farm and investigate. This coffee was too good to not know every detail. Upon arriving at Elver Cordoba’s farm, one thing became immediately apparent. Standing out amongst the rest of the trees were exceptionally tall, almost African heirloom-looking trees. The entire field was planted with governmentally controlled and supplied “F6” variety seeds, yet some appeared to be mutating and reverting to their wild origins. Café Imports sent multiple samples to an Italian lab for genetic testing and asked us to be one of eight roasters worldwide to have the first peek at this mystery. We were able to share our findings on the roaster side and our Director of Education, Alex, used it as his selection for the National Brewer’s Cup. We are excited to now offer the little amount we could get our hands on… to you, our customers.

Elver Cordoba’s Variety: Unknown sings with bright tropical citrus notes like lemon-lime candy and kumquat. The brightness is offset by a grape soda sweetness and a lingering cinnamon flavor similar to Red Hots and Big Red gum. This coffee is wild and exciting. It is the perfect coffee to propel you into discovering the unknowns that each day brings.