On a cool August evening in Toledo Ohio, at one of the finest cafe’s in the city, we were invited to a coffee cupping of some of the rarest coffee available today. The 2014 Varietal Series comes from Gloria Rodriguez and was roasted by MADCAP Coffee in Grand Rapids Michigan.
If you are unfamiliar with coffee cupping, it is the practice of observing the smell, aroma, and taste of brewed coffee. Not too different from wine tasting. There were eight different variations for us to try, each having a completely different taste and aroma. Some were fruity, some were rich in chocolate, yet all were delicious!
The Varietal Series comes from a well known farmer named Gloria Rodriguez, who is known for meticulously harvesting her crops. In this series, all eight of the coffee’s were harvested ripe by hand, de-pulped, fermented, then fully washed and dried to highlight the differences of each variety, creating an unique opportunity to compare coffee varieties from the same farm.
The Rodriguez farm produced 25lbs of each of the eight coffee’s we tasted this year. Since coffee is the 2nd largest traded commodity (only to crude oil) in the world. That easily makes the Varietal Series some of the rarest coffee in the world. And was an experience to remember.
If you have never been to Plate21, you have to go! Its a wonderful artisan coffee house locally owned by the always friendly and personable Sandy Spang. Plate21 is just about to celebrate its fifth year in business and it is here to stay. The food is great, the coffee is obviously amazing, and the atmosphere is so inviting. Be sure to check out their Facebook page below and show them some love!