THEILOR CRUZ GESHA (Releasing 26/3)

Flavour Description: Apricot, Honeysuckle, Lemongrass, Earl Grey, Orange Blossom
Producer: Theilor Cruz

Farm: Finca Tabaconas
Country: Peru
Region: San Ignacio, Cajamarca
Variety: Gesha
Importer: Cofinet
Processing Method: Washed

Q Score: 90

SUITABLE AS: ESPRESSO & FILTER BREW METHODS
BEST AS: FILTER

ABOUT THIS COFFEE

First a bit of back story, we were first introduced to this Gesha interestingly enough at a Public tasting event at Just Coffee in Chester. We had received some samples from Liam of cofinet, but we had been so busy that this was the first opportunity we found to try them properly and gain some public feedback. 

Although the brews on the table featured many spectacular coffees of our own, the table was overshadowed by the immense flavour quality coming out of cup number 8 of 10 - which was Theilor Cruz's Gesha - and many people found it to be their favourite on the table. Immediately, I went back to Liam and reserved the last couple of boxes to make sure that this coffee found its way onto our offer list. 

Gesha is one of the most highly sought after coffee varieties in the world, famed for it's distinct florality, unique tactility and clarity of flavour. Many believe that the best origin for Gesha is Panama, but as I expressed in my interview with Perfect Daily Grind - it's my fundamental belief that phenomenally high quality Gesha can be found anywhere - reminiscent of Ratatouille's 'Anyone Can Cook'. 

Theilor Cruz is a young, up and coming coffee producer hailing from Cajamara. His love and passion for the craft is something that translates wholeheartedly into his work, with this Gesha yielding some of the clearest, highest quality flavours I've tried. Peru is one of our favourite origins, with an extremely unique terroir. Taking fresh ocean cooled wind from the pacific on one side, the northern end of the Andes providing high altitude to much of the country (the highest mountain in Peru: Huascaran (6768m), sits just a short distance away) and the Amazon rainforest to the eastern areas, the country is cool, tropical and equatorial, with Cajamara sitting extremely close to the equator a few miles away from another of our favourite regions, Loja (in Ecuador). 

Theilor's farm benefits from an ideal climate and fertile soil, perfectly suited for cultivating specialty coffee. Renowned for its high altitude and rich biodiversity, this region yields coffee with a uniquely exceptional flavor.

The finest Gesha cherries were carefully selected and meticulously hand-sorted to eliminate any defects. Following this, the coffee underwent pulping and thorough washing to remove all mucilage. It was then sun-dried on raised beds for 18 days.

The upshot, is that Peru maintains some of the most unique microclimates in the coffee producing world, perfect for producing Gesha.