Maragogype, the giant amongst them all
Nylon Coffee Roasters
As we march into our 5th year mark at Everton Park, we are keeping our customers happy by bringing on new coffees. Our inventory for Central American coffees is reaching its end soon. So the last Guatemalan coffee to hit the retail rack is from a farm which should be familiar to some of you. Finca Vista Hermosa ("FVH") is located in Agua Dulce, Huehuetenango in northwest Guatemala. The new coffee, is an interesting varietal, Maragogype. Maragogype beans, sometimes known as “Elephant Beans”, are a genetic mutation of the Typica variety of Arabica coffee. The name comes from the town of Maragogipe which is in the state of Bahia, in the northeast region of Brazil. This is one part of the parent of a more common varietal, Pacamara (which we have featured at Nylon a few times over the years). Proportional to the size of the beans, the coffee trees and leaves themselves are distinctively larger too. Typically, Maragogype plants have lower production. This new coffee is grown in a lot called "Edlyna" in FVH. Edlyna consist of a long vertical lot that spans roughly from 1400 masl all the way up to 1750 masl. As there are very few Maragogype trees in the farm, there is only one person tasked to look for these trees and pick the ripe cherries. Due to the bean size, the wet mill has to be adjusted a little when processing the Maragogype to avoid breaking the beans at the depulper stage.
We cupped this coffee at FVH last year and it stood out for its balance and sweetness. The fruit tones relate to darker skinned fruits like black plums and grapes. Brown sugar coats your palette, ending off with mild sweet goji berries in the finish.
Farm: Finca Vista Hermosa
Producer: Edwin David Martinez Keyes and Edwin Amilcar Martinez Pineda
Location: Agua Dulce, Huehuetenango
Altitude: ~1,400 - 1750 masl
Varietals: Maragogype
Processing: Depulped on the same day the cherries are picked. Fermentation for 48 hours and fully washed and sun-dried on cement patios for 7-10 days depending on sun
We have only secured 1 bag of this interesting varietal so this coffee won't last long. Grab one soon before it runs out. Available in-store or on web now.