Luis Roldan - Red Caturra
Impressions: orange, almond, cacao, vanilla, clove
Roast degree: light-medium (3/5)
Country: Guatemala
Region: Casillas, Santa Rosa
Farm: El Durazno
Farmer: Luis Roldan
Variety: Red Caturra
Process: Washed
Partner importer: Semilla
The coffees we buy from Luis hold a special place for us at Rabbit Hole. It is the first coffee we bought from the Cafe Colis Resistancia group in Guatemala. This groups of Indigenous Xinka people are interested in developing an international market for their coffee, and therefore finally receiving fair prices for their work.
From buying 14 bags 4 years ago, we are now buying closer to 100bags from this group. Coffee can be a force for good, and buying as much as possible from initiative combatting the extractive nature of coffee is essential.
The group is also actively involved in resistance against the illegal exploitation of a silver mine by Vancouver-based Pan-American Silver. This Canadian company wants to go ahead and exploit the mine on Indigenous land despite being in contravention of the United Nations Declarations of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
We are proud to join Semilla in their efforts to stand on the side of Indigenous sovereignty and landing our support for this producing group. Not only does Semilla buy the coffees well above market prices, they also lend their voices as Canadians against this illegal extractive project.
Buying this coffee has an impact well beyond taste or the raw material itself.
About Luis:
Luis, an agricultural engineer by trade and a university teacher who ran for mayor in Casillas, is an active member of the Mataquescuintla resistance group.
He was instrumental last year in using his contacts with local NGOs to acquire an eco-pulper, which allows producers to not only process their coffee to parchment in their own beneficios but also to do so with a minimal amount of water, given that the whole region has been drought-stricken for years and water is a precious commodity.
Luis also started a local roasting brand to help generate revenues for families in the region.
We have a second lot from Luis available, this time a Yellow Caturra.
Another beautiful lot from Luis Roldan. This coffee is an instant classic and we can't think of a better way to start your day then with this freshly brewed red caturra lot.
This coffee is rich in almond and cacao notes, making this the perfect choice for those who like milky drinks. The clove aftertaste adds so much depth to it.
The coffee is alive with a beautiful orange like acidity, and the sweetness reminded us of fresh vanilla cream.
This coffee is versatile and will make a round and sweet filter brew as well.
| Method | Dose | Ratio | Time |
| Espresso | 16-20 g | 2:1 | 28-32 sec |
| Espresso with milk | 16-20 g | 1.9:1 | 32-34 sec |
| Americano | 16-20 g | 2.2:1 | 26-30 sec |
|
V60/Origami |
18-32 g | 15.5:1 | 3:00-3:30 min |
|
Chemex & Batch Brew |
40-60 g | 15.5:1 | 4:30-5:45 min |
|
French Press |
18-25 g | 14:1 | 3:45 min steep time |
Farmer: Luis Roldan
Exporter: Industrias Noviembre
Importer: Semilla
Price we paid Semilla for the landed coffee in our Montreal warehouse: 14.60CAD/kg.
FOB price: 11.25CAD/kg
Farmgate price: 1750 Quetzal/quintal - 1 quintal being around 100kg of parchment
National price: 1200 Quetzal
Even when local and global market prices are fluctuating, Semilla is committed to paying more for coffee and to not use this colonial way of pricing coffee. They also don't buy based on cup scores: Semilla and the farmers they work with price coffee together so it makes sense for everyone by including cost of production, local needs and inflation, etc.