We’ve been working hard at Stone Creek to forge new Farm to Cup relationships in addition to maintaining our existing ones during the pandemic. Agricafe in Bolivia is one of those new partnerships, and we’re excited to be able to offer you not one, but 3 products from this amazing group of people this year that is a drinkable journey through the lifecycle of a coffee plant. And just in time for the Polar Vortex, this very special box set will bring a taste of Bolivia and some sunshine to your doorstep.
Bolivian coffee is hard to come by. Agricafe is the leading producer of specialty, single origin and microlot coffees in Bolivia, and is owned and operated by the Rodriguez family. After seeing a 70% reduction in coffee production since 2006, as a whole, Bolivia only exports about 20,000 bags of specialty coffee each year (that’s about 72 shipping containers), so to be able to share this coffee via a Farm to Cup relationship is special, to say the least.
For over 34 years, the Rodriguez family has been sourcing and exporting coffee, but due to the reduction of coffee production in Bolivia, made the decision to invest in planting their own farms to ensure a supply of high quality coffee and future sustainability about 8 years ago. As of 2020, they have 12 farms, 8 in Caranavi, Los Yungas in La Paz, and 4 in Samaipata in Santa Cruz, which adhere to high quality standards. The ‘Fincas Los Rodriguez’ project not only acts as a constant source of coffee production, but also represents a real world example of local producers showing what can be achieved with good planning and modern farming techniques.
Read on below and get a sneak peek of what’s inside our Bolivia Box Set launching this Thursday!
Gesha Coffee Flower
Variety: Gesha Coffee Flowers
Farm: Los Rodriguez
Location: Caranavi, Bolivia
Altitude: 1400-1650masl
What it is: Ever wondered what a coffee flower tastes like? You’re in luck, because that’s exactly what you’re in for with Gesha Coffee Flower sourced from the Rodriguez family. Coffee plants go through flowering cycles before they ‘fruit’ and produce coffee cherries. At Fincas Los Rodriguez, these Gesha coffee flowers were very carefully and tediously hand-picked from Gesha plants. Coffee flower is even more hard to come by than Bolivian coffee, so savor every last drop of this jewel of a find. With floral notes of coffee blossom, jasmine honeysuckle, and white tea, this Gesha Coffee Flower is a truly special experience that we’re thankful to be able to share.
Cascara
Variety: Multiple
Mill: Buena Vista
Location: Caranavi, Bolivia
Altitude: 1400-1650masl
What it is: Cascara is the dried skin of the coffee cherry that is removed during the depulping process — one of the steps of washed processing. Bolivia is well known for popularizing the use and export of cascara in the coffee industry. Not only does cascara taste beautifully sweet, but it also helps reduce the amount of waste generated by coffee production. This cascara from the Rodriguez family’s Buena Vista mill in Caranavi is a sweet treat with notes of plum, berries, and red tea.
High Road Bolivia Washed Caturra
Variety: Caturra
Farm: Los Rodriguez
Location: Caranavi, Bolivia
Altitude: 1400-1650masl
What it is: The final product of coffee production at the Fincas Los Rodriguez, this 100% Caturra coffee from their Fincas Caranavi of the Fincas Los Rodriguez in Caranavi, Los Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia, underwent a washed process after the cherries were hand-picked. You’ll experience a medium, smooth body reminiscent of Chardonnay, with creamy, citric notes of lemon custard, and sweet notes of honey, melon, and stone fruit in the final cup.
Our Bolivia Box Set launches online only on Thursday, February 18th at 7:30am. With only 150 boxes available, you’ll want to be sure to get yours before they’re gone! Click the button below on Thursday to get your Bolivia Collection Box Set sent straight to your door with free carbon neutral shipping.
CLICK AT 7:30AM ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH TO SNAG YOUR BOX SET