Fiona

From the Farmer:

Introducing an extraordinary and unrepeatable lot, born from the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona which swept through Puerto Rico in September of 2022. The Forgotten Forest team activated prior to the storm and then immediately after, standing by our cohort of eight farmers and extending support to approximately 50 small and medium-sized farmers in our network. We wasted no time in launching crowdfunding campaigns to provide essential tools like chainsaws, shovels, and machetes, ensuring that our farmers had the means to rebuild. With the help of over 300 dedicated volunteers and the support of organizations such as Technoserve, Para la Naturaleza, the One Tree Foundation, El Nodo, and Bāsed, we navigated the bureaucratic maze, securing grants, immediate aid, and agricultural insurance for our resilient farmers.

While the hurricane's heavy rains wreaked havoc on the coffee cherries, we remained true to our commitment to quality and integrity. We organized large brigades, working hand in hand with our farmers to salvage the precious harvest. We committed to purchasing every coffee cherry harvested during those challenging days, recognizing the farmers' unwavering dedication, and precarious position. To breathe new life into the watered-down cherries, we embarked on a journey of processing innovation. The unique demands of this situation necessitated innovation to breathe new life into the watered-down cherries— we embarked on a journey of processing innovation to salvage the watered-down and diluted coffee cherries.

We implemented a hybrid approach using thermal shock, carbonic maceration, and anaerobic fermentation. After an initial stage of rapid (and risky) high-temperature fermentation, we immersed the cherries in a controlled, low-oxygen environment to eliminate spoilage-causing bacteria and allow the emergence of lactobacillus, which transformed the simple sugars into complex derivatives. The high pressure created through this process further infused the volatile precursor compounds into the beans.

The result? A coffee that bears a surprising and unusual profile that aptly reflects the conditions of its origin. This coffee is a true testament to community and creativity.