Last week, the Reads team made their way to Kingston Upon Thames to see one of our fantastic green coffee buyers – Mercanta Importers of the finest speciality Arabica Coffee. We have worked with Mercanta since we started roasting, and they pride themselves on offering professional and impartial advice to clients like ourselves on subjects ranging from coffee profiles to sourcing models.
Our day began with a tour of their London office. The tardis like building led us from the reception area up to the centre of activity, and main trading office. Filled with a display of packaging from other proud roasters, and an impressive international time wall, showing the Mercanta offices around the world. This is where the team are in touch with over 20 producing countries and many hundreds of growers, offering a streamlined and efficient green coffee buying and delivery service to more than 50 countries worldwide.
The wonderfully familiar smell of freshly roasted Coffee greeted us into the ‘lab’ – the coffee scientists haven! We gathered round the cupping table, which was laid out and ready for action. The next hour or so was brilliantly educational. We each tasted eight, very contrasting, coffees. With the Organic Peru La Coipa, Ethiopia Mirado G3 and Brazil Ipanema Premier Cru di Monti coming out on top! We’re excited to have these coming in over the next coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled on our website. In the meantime, here’s a taster of what’s to come:
Organic Peru La Coipa – A very solid, sweet honey and approachable coffee, fully washed, and Organic.
Ethiopia Mirado G3 – A natural, aromatic with hints of Earl Grey and Jasmine.
Brazil Ipanema Premier Cru di Monti A41 Cherry Gold – This premium bean holds wonderful funky, fermented flavour and perfectly balanced acidity. An exciting addition we look forward to!
