Crankhouse Coffee Coffee Beans

Our latest easy drinker is the return of this Amarelo Mantiqueira from the Serra de Mantiqueira region of Brazil and is a blend of Yellow Bourbon coffees from various smallholders in the area that sell their coffees to the Cocarive cooperative. We visited Cocarive back in September 2025 and to say it was impressive is an understatement. The Serra de Mantiqueira stretch across São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states. Located in the Minas Gerais state, the Mantiqueria de Minas area was the first to get a geographical indication in the Brazilian coffee industry (supported and developed by BSCA). This fresh approach, akin to ‘terroir’ in the wine industry, is redefining how people view specialty coffee from Brazil with 25 counties in the region and 7,800 producers, of which 89% are smallholders. The area comprises 69,500 hectares and altitude ranges from 900 to 1,500 masl, with a predominance of yellow varieties over the more typical red. All coffees are minimum 84 SCA points as part of the denomination and many enter the late harvest Cup of Excellence in Brazil. The lower altitudes are often grazed by cattle and the steeper slopes compared to other parts of the state mean that the near ubiquitous mechanisation of the coffee industry in Brazil is much less commonly seen, and hand picking more prevalent. Though both red and yellow cherries are grown across the region, altitude often splits the choices, with yellow generally being grown at higher elevations and therefore forming a larger percentage of quality coffees form the region. Once the coffee is picked, it is processed through to dry milling on the farm, and then brought to the Cocarive warehouse just outside São Lourenço. It is then rigorously cupped under the guidance of ex Brazilian cupping Champion Wellington Pereira (aka Baba).

Our latest Colombian decaf coffee comes to us from the Cooperativa de Caficultores de Manizales which was founded in 1960 and a part of the coffee community in the region of Caldas. Located in part of the renowned Coffee Triangle, the cooperative was created to support local coffee growers by improving market access, strengthening livelihoods, and promoting collective action. The cooperative helps farmers secure better prices, attain fair trade certifications, and access technical training, financial services, and sustainability programs. These services improve members’ economic stability and enhance community well-being. Sustainability is central to its mission. The cooperative encourages organic farming, reduces pesticide use, and supports water conservation, biodiversity, and renewable energy. It also invests in social initiatives, including education, healthcare, and fair labor practices, to improve living standards in coffee-growing communities. Each farm produces its own levels of volume and types of varieties, and the main varieties grown are Castillo, Caturra, and Supremo. Most of the members of the association process their coffees using traditional washed processing practices; 16 hours fermentation followed by sun-drying for 15 days. The Sugar Cane EA Decaffeination method Sugar cane decaffeination is often termed as a natural process decaf. Ethyl Acetate is an organically existing compound (C4H8O2) and by-product found most commonly in the fermentation of fruits, and is present in both ripe bananas and beer for example. The DESCAFECOL decaffeination plant in Manizales uses water from the Navado del Ruis (a volcano between Caldas and Tolima) and natural ethyl acetate from fermented sugarcane sourced in the southern region of Palmira, Colombia. This process begins with steaming of the coffee, increasing its porosity, beginning the hydrolysis of caffeine, which is usually bonded to salts and chlorogenic acids in the bean. The beans are then submerged in an ethyl acetate solution until 97% of the caffeine is removed. A final steam is then used to lift residual traces of the compound. The ultimate residue which remains is ≤30 ppm, which is a level dramatically less than that of a banana!

Our first Mexican beauty from the Sierra Sur region where we visited back in March this year is from Carlos Hernandez and a naturally processed Pluma Hidalgo variety. Naturals (dried in the skin) are risky in Mexico because of the humidity, but when they're good, they're very good. Carlos is a member of Union San Pedro located in Barrio San Antonio in San Pedro El Alto. 2025 was his first year producing naturals alongside his regular washed coffees (that contribute to the Union San Pedro Blend). The first year was certainly a trial or proof of concept phase and as the coffees cupped very well Carlos began to expand his naturals and also experimenting with honeys this year. For this natural process, cherry is rested for three nights in the skin and then dried on patios, Petates (mats) and even at times inside the house depending on the weather, for an average drying time of 20 days. Raw Material and Red Beetle Coffee Lab have focused their work in the Oaxaca and Chiapas regions and been working with smallholder producers contributing to regional 'blends' as well as separating some special coffees for micro-lots including this natural from Carlos Hernandez. It was a privilege to cup these fresh crop coffees at the Red Beetle HQ and a few the the many lots we tasted have made their way to the UK spread amongst the roasters that attended the trip. We were lucky in securing this lot from Carlos and it's our first release from that trip. Production yields have become dangerously low and over the last ten years coffee leaf rust disease and the lack of financial or agricultural means to tackle it has reduced production by up to 90% in some regions. The average yield in Oaxaca is now just 100kg of parchment per hectare. For context, in Colombia, the average yield is 2,400kg per hectare. The vast majority of Mexico’s 500,000 coffee producers are smallholder farmers and have one hectare or less of land under coffee. This makes the average annual production for many producers just 100kg, making coffee farming more and more unsustainable. This is fuelling widespread migration to urban centres in Mexico and the United States. In short, coffee production is disappearing.

Our second Guatemalan release of the season comes from Eddy Macdonald Lopez Lopez and his farm La Gardenia situated high in the mountains of the famous Huehuetenango region (Huehue). At the heart of the farm’s operations is the focus on preservation of the pristine natural environment. Eddy seeks to maintain a diversity of tree, animal and bird species, as well as ensuring that there is no contamination of nearby sources of spring water from coffee production. Quetzals, the famously beautiful and rare Guatemalan national bird, has even been spotted on the farm. La Gardenia has sought various environmental certifications such as Rainforest Alliance to verify its mission to conserve the delicate ecosystems of Huehuetenango. In addition to sustainability, coffee quality is a key priority for Eddy and his family. The farm works with exotic varieties and different processes in order to showcase the unique potential of the region’s coffee. By carefully monitoring every stage of the process, Finca Gardenia is able to produce outstanding quality coffees. This lot is something new to us, a naturally processed Marsellesa variety and it forms part of the Arcoiris range from importer Primavera: "Every year, we taste a few coffees that are really wild: fruity, sweet, and unabashedly unique. Sometimes these are washed lots, other times they can be honeys or naturals. Sometimes they are the result of an extra-long fermentation before being washed, or the result of fermenting honeys in a sack before depulping, and each one has a different story." Huehuetenango is located in the west of Guatemala, on the border with Mexico, and trade across the border thrives. Huehuetenango was the ancient center of the Mam people, and their capital Zaculeu is preserved in the city; Popti speakers can also be found here. After defeating the Mam at Zaculeu, Spanish invaders forced many indigenous people to work in mines and on plantations in this region. Huehue is very remote and the roads in the region can be difficult; before flights from the city, reaching farms in this area used to take 8-10 hours of bumpy driving in the high mountains. But the altitude of this region, combined with the hot dry winds that blow over from Mexico’s Tehuantepec Plain, create excellent conditions for quality coffee here. Because of the altitudes and remoteness of the region, most farmers process their coffee at home rather than at a central wet mill. We were very fortunate to visit some of Primavera's producer partners in Guatemala in 2024 including Huehue. Witnessing their in-country operations first-hand including collection stations (bodegas) and the dry-mill demonstrated their commitment to quality and support of the farmers they work with.

It's the return of this stunner from Edinson Argote and his farm Quebraditas from the Huila region in Colombia. Edinson has adopted some of the new sophisticated processing methodologies and we've previously had this coffee as well as an outstanding Geisha, a Sidra and SL28. This Orange Bourbon variety is a natural mutation of Red Bourbon and has undergone a 'double anaerobic washed, yeast inoculation thermal shock' process. WOW! Edinson's story is special too. His real introduction to specialty coffee came after completing his army service at 20 years of age when he worked for his cousin at a local coffee buying station in Acevedo-Huila, loading and unloading coffee. It was during this time that Edinson developed a keen interest in coffee cupping, pursuing courses to enhance his sensory skills. Progressing in his career, Edinson gained valuable experience and mentorship while working in some of the most innovative coffee farms in the Cauca region, leading him to become the head of quality and processing control at one of these farms. Grateful for the knowledge and experience gained, he was nonetheless driven by a personal ambition to establish his own coffee farm. Now, at Quebraditas Coffee Farm, a venture he runs with his family, he cultivates exotic coffee varieties like Gesha, Bourbon Sidra, Ombligon, Eugenoids, Chiroso, Laurina, and Sl-28. Highlighting family ties, hard work, and a drive for progress, Edinson’s journey reflects his commitment to quality and innovation in coffee production. The processing method is multi-step starting with a period of oxidisation in the cherry in drums for 24hrs, before de-pulping. Then the first fermentation stage for 36hrs to remove the mucilage before being washed at 45C created a thermal shock. A further 72hrs fermentation with a specific yeast culture added held at a temperature below 25C. Then a 'sealing' wash at 5C before the final mechanical drying phase for 48hrs at 38C before stabilisation in Grainpro. This is another example of our filter specific profiles, roasted fast and hard to 8 mins overall with just less than 1 min development time. This profile lends itself to filter brewing and not espresso style and 3 weeks rest after roast date is highly recommended. We wrote a little piece which helps to explain what happens during resting here: https://www.crankhousecoffee.co.uk/blogs/news/roasting-profiles-brew-methods-and-resting

Our fourth year with this beautiful coffee from Jonny Martinez and his import business MiCafe and it never fails to please. We've bought some exceptional coffees over the last few years from MiCafe including this special Pink Bourbon and jumped at the chance to buy it again. Jonny owns El Jaragual which is managed by his cousin Jorge Mira. El Jaragual, spans 150 hectares located in Amalfi, Antioquia, Colombia, positioned perfectly in the northern area of the central Colombian Andes. A significant portion of El Jaragual is dedicated to forestry, leveraging Jorge's background as a forestry engineer. The farm features a blend of pine tree plantations aimed at sustainable timber production, alongside conserved areas of native forest. Currently, they cultivate seven coffee varieties at El Jaragual, shaded by plantain trees and other native agroforestry species, ranging from traditional varieties like Castillo/Colombia to exotic types such as this Pink Bourbon, Geisha, Typica Mejorado and Sidra. The coffee processing methods employed at El Jaragual are refined, involving extended fermentation phases with yeast inoculation and temperature adjustments, such as warm water rinses and cool water quenches, to enhance and stabilise the aromatic qualities developed during fermentation. This represents a thoughtful balance between traditional and modern processing techniques, in line with the techniques we've seen over the last few years from the likes of Wilton Benitez and Diego Bermudez amongst others. The method is multi-step starting with a period of oxidisation in the cherry in drums for 24hrs. Then de-pulping and a further 24hr dry oxidation followed by a brief hot 45C washing (thermal shock). Then the 36hr wet fermentation with a specific yeast culture. Washing at 5C to ‘seal’ the fermentation, and finally 76hr controlled drying.

Our latest Guatemalan goodness is a welcome return from Francisco Morales and his farm La Esperanza, the first farm we visited on our trip back in 2024 with importer Primavera. La Esperanza is perched at 1700m high up in the famous Huehuetenango (abbrev. huehue) region and the views from the drying patios of the surrounding mountains were quite something. Francisco and his wife have been the proud owners of La Esperanza farm in Cipresales for over 40 years over which time they have achieved a great deal. As like many other producers, the initial years of starting their farm activities were very challenging ones. But thanks to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the family, the farm has grown into a business that provides income for the household and generates a source of employment for many others in the surrounding area. The name of the farm, which in English translates into “The Hope”, explains well how important coffee production is for them. Francisco is the type of person that never feels done learning new things. His eagerness to hear experiences from others, and try out new things at the farm, wet mill or drying area. His curiosity and interest for improving coffee quality resulted in winning several prizes the Huehuetenango Highland competitions. Francisco’s son Desvin is in charge of the processing of his lots. Lots are depulped the same day as harvest and dry fermented around 24 hours (but this can vary based on the ambient temperature each day). The coffee is then dried on the cement patio. Roast profile: We've roasted this coffee in our 'omni' profile. A little more development of body and sweetness than a pure filter profile which means this coffee suits brewing with any method ie. filter or espresso.

Our latest Colombian masterpiece is yet another release from the famous Inmaculada Coffee Farms and their 'Fellows' project in Huila and Cauca. This project with partnering farms which began in 2022 not only allows them to preserve the distinctive quality of the coffees but also expands the Inmaculada portfolio with exotic varieties that they might not grow themselves. With this project they are actively contributing to improving the livelihoods of partner coffee growers and strengthening their agronomic and processing practices in these regions. We first tasted a range of Inmaculada coffees at an event in 2025 and they were exceptional coffees. These are not generally accessible in the UK but luckily through our import partner DR Wakefield we were able to purchase two particular gems which were both amazing. We wanted more, and luckily we had the pleasure of hosting Jorge and Juan Pablo from Inmaculada on our stand at this year's World of coffee event in Brussels. They'd brought with them some stunning coffees to brew including a Bourbon Aji, which is also known as 'Pepper or Chilli Bourbon'. The plant has a distinctive pepper like aroma as the coffee cherries are picked, hence the “Aji” name (Aji is the south American word for chilli peppers). It was quite special so we immediately booked some and hey presto.. it was milled, packed and shipped to be here at Crankhouse within a couple of weeks. Research performed by plant geneticist Dr. Christophe Montagnon has shown that Bourbon Aji is not actually a Bourbon at all (just like Pink Bourbon), but a descendant of the Ethiopian landrace coffee group. It's the first time we've had this particular variety in the roastery but not the first time we've heard of it. It's one of the new 'exotic' varieties that has come out of the Huila region of Colombia. Inmaculada is based in Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia and they process the Fellows partner coffees through their own state of the art mill for quality and consistency purposes. This Bourbon Aji is processed as a washed coffee with a short anaerobic fermentation after depulping. For us it has some tropical notes, with a juicy citrus acidity and a sweetness that reminded us of dry vermouth. It's a complex cup for sure.

This coffee comes to us from a project born out of a meeting between coffee friends on one of Lucia Solis's fermentation camps. Mike, then of Red Bank Coffee, was on the camp in Kenya at along with Eustache from Muraho trading company based in Rwanda. We'd visited Muraho back in 2023 with importer Raw Material Coffee and Eustache was manager for a number of Muraho's processing stations including Kilimbi. During the camp Mike and Eustache hatched a plan to use the fermentation techniques they were learning during the camp to process a small lot of coffee at Kilimbi and bring it to the UK. Lucky for us there was a little extra to Red Bank's requirements and we were able to get hold of a few sacks. All cherry is hand sorted before a pre-pulp float, where under-ripe or damaged cherry is removed, along with any foreign objects. Cherry is then floated in pre-pulping tanks removing any floaters, and then pulped. The next step is the magic applied by Eustache and Mike based on their FTC experience. Lactobacillus var. plantarum (bacteria) and Pichia kluyveri (yeast) were then introduced and mixed with the coffee. The lot was fermented for 24 hours, with agitation every six hours, before being washed, graded in serpentine channels, and dried on raised beds.

Our latest decaf coffee is from Chiapas in Mexico and uses the Mountain Water decaffeination method at the Descamex facility in Córdoba, Veracruz. The water used in this process comes from the Pico de Orizaba, the tallest volcano in Mexico located in Veracruz. This water is used to extract caffeine from the green coffee beans under controlled conditions of flow, temperature, pressure and vacuum in combination with a green coffee concentrate and a sophisticated filtration system (much like the Swiss Water decaffeination method) in combination with special filters. Mountain Water Decaf Quetzal originates from 24 communities located across the VI Frailesca region and the Sierra Mariscal, traversed by the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Mexico. This coffee is influenced by the favourable microclimates of the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, which benefits local biodiversity and the economy. The coffee farms, situated between 1,200 and 1,800 masl, are developed in polycultures that offer significant environmental, social, and economic benefits.

A triple whammy this year with 3 different coffees from the Rumudamo station available. We have the natural, washed and now this anaerobic washed version. Rumudamo is the jewel in the crown of the Daye Bensa operation and this was clear to see when we visited this region in 2025 with Atrie from the green importer Coffee Legends. Rumudamo sits in the Arbegona region, one of the 30 districts in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Sidama Zone, Arbegona is bordered on the south by Bona Zuria, on the southwest by Bursa, on the northwest by Gorche, on the north by the Oromia Region, and on the east by Bensa. The major town in Arbegona is Arbegona. This coffee comes from small plots in the highland area of Arbegona in a specific village called Rumudamo, which benefits from the very high altitudes up to 2300 MASL. Coffee is the main cash crop in this area, though many other crops grow here such as sugar cane, false banana, spices and vegetables. Cherries are sorted based on density and quality by floating them in large water tanks. After flotation, the cherries for this anaerobic lot are fermented in barrels for up to 144 hours and then de-pulped and washed before being transferred to African raised beds with mesh nets. The coffee is rotated every 30 minutes for even dryness and to control the fermentation process. The average drying time takes about 12-15 days based on the temperature and humidity. Then the dried parchment are stored in warehouses for flavour development.

Yes folks, it's time for the return of this washed beauty from our trip to the home of coffee back in January last year with Atrie from Coffee Legends to the Daye Bensa operation. Rumudamo is the jewel in the Daye Bensa crown and coffees from this washing station in the Arbegona area within Sidamo have placed highly in CoE competitions in previous years (2nd and 3rd spots in 2020)! Arbegona is one of the 30 district in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Sidama Zone, Arbegona is bordered on the south by Bona Zuria, on the southwest by Bursa, on the northwest by Gorche, on the north by the Oromia Region, and on the east by Bensa. The major town in Arbegona is Arbegona. Just like it's naturally processed sibling that we have available too, this coffee comes from small plots in the highland area of Arbegona in a specific village called Rumudamo, which benefits from the very high altitudes up to 2300 MASL. Coffee is the main cash crop in this area, though many other crops grow here such as sugar cane, false banana, spices and vegetables. Cherries are sorted based on density and quality by floating them in large water tanks. After flotation, the ripe cherries are pulped and transferred to fermentation tanks for 72 hrs before being taken to the raised beds with mesh nets for 9-10 days drying.

Something new and very special from the famous Guji region and a return from Sookoo Coffee founded by Ture Waji aka 'The King of Guji' and imported exclusively by our friends at Osito coffee. This selection was placed in Grain Pro bags in a reduced oxygen environment (anoxic) for 86 hrs giving this classic Guji a little sparkly twist. Sookoo Coffee is located in Odo Shakiso within the Oromia Region and Guji Zone. Each lot is named for the kebele from which the cherry comes e.g. Birbissa, Bookkisa, and this Shoondhisa. This relatively young but already well known coffee area is recognised for its unique and distinctive cup profiles. In this beautiful landscape of forest jungle at an elevation of 2100-2350m, you can hear the workers singing cultural Guji songs while moving coffee around. Most of the cherry being delivered are one of two varieties; Gibirinna 74110 and Serto 74112. Both of these are from the Metu Bishari selections made in the forest of the same name in the Illubabor Zone by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) in 1974. They were selected for their resistance to Coffee Berry Disease. Now they are some of the most propagated varieties in Ethiopia. After the anaerobic peroid in Grain Pro, the cherries are all dried at the Suke station on raised beds at an elevation of 2170m for around 15-20 days in very thin layers. They are moved and rotated frequently to ensure even and precise drying. The net results of all the effort are some of the most vibrant and pristinely clean natural Ethiopian coffees we have seen. Unlike many naturals, they present with high florality and acidity with very little booziness. They are often described as "Ethiopia first, natural processing second."

A washed Colombian community lot from Villa Maria in Caldas, part of Raw Material's long-running project for stable prices and quality, with red plum and milk chocolate notes.