Natural 'Maria' Maragesha by Luis Aníbal Calderón

Maragesha Natural is an exquisite and rare varietal, a natural cross between Maragogype and Gesha, discovered at the renowned Villa Betulia farm in 2016. This coffee is a true masterpiece, offering a luxurious cup profile with floral notes, blueberries, intense caramel, and a subtle citrus resembling sweet lime. Grown in the rich volcanic soil of Huila and meticulously sundried on raised beds under temperature-controlled conditions, Maragesha embodies the pinnacle of Luis' coffee craftsmanship.

This exceptional coffee was showcased by Honoka Kawashima, the reigning Aotearoa NZ Barista Champion of 2023, at the prestigious World Barista Championship 2024 in Busan, South Korea. Honoka’s remarkable performance, which earned her an impressive fourth place in the world, highlighted the unparalleled quality of Maragesha. Roasted to the same profile as it was in WBC 2024 by Frank Hsu of Frank’s Coffee, using an infrared roaster, this coffee truly shines in every cup.

This coffee is particularly benefited from a longer rest period post-roast. In WBC Busan 2024, Team NZ used coffee that was aged 30 days for the competition routine. This ageing process helps achieve optimal taste balance and flavour clarity, particularly in the sweetness and body. For this reason, we roast coffee a set time each month so when it arrives to you it will come with some days of ageing for your immediate consumption.

The current batch was roasted on 11 December 2024. We Recommend Start Enjoying this coffee from 11th January 2025 as espresso, or 25th December 2024 as pour-over.

Tasting Notes:

• Floral notes
• Strawberries
• Pink grapfruit
• Hibiscus
• Intense caramel
• Subtle citrus (sweet lime)
• Cacao nibs

Origin: Acevedo, Huila, Colombia

Farm and Producer:  Villa Betulia by Luis Aníbal Calderón

Botanical Cultivars: Maragesha

Altitude: 1500 - 1600 m.a.s.l

Process: Natural

Soil Characteristics: Volcanic Ash

Annual Rainfall: 1700 - 2000mm

Temperature: 18-24°C

Drying Time: 240 hours (10 days)

About the Producer:
Luis Anibal Calderon, a 2nd generation coffee farmer with over 41 years of experience, owns Villa Betulia farm. Known for his dedication and innovative approach, Luis was one of the first in Huila to produce high-end microlots and master alternative processing methods. His farm is home to various exotic varietals, including Gesha, Maragesha, Tabi, Red Bourbon, Java, Sidra, and Mokka. Luis’s commitment to quality and sustainability is evident in his practices, such as planting native trees to reduce fertilizer use and improve soil health.

Honoka Kawashima’s Achievement:
Honoka Kawashima, the Aotearoa NZ Barista Champion of 2023, secured an impressive fourth place at the World Barista Championship 2024 in Busan, South Korea. Her captivating routine, inspired by the art of origami, showcased the Maragesha’s exceptional qualities. Honoka’s performance, set to music and featuring intricate presentations, was a testament to her dedication and talent, earning her accolades on the world stage.

https://youtu.be/j3tks2CMx0E?si=JNrmrndVktfWtREG

Recommended Recipes: 

Espresso: 19g in, 53g out, 25 seconds. 

V60: 1:17 ratio, 90c, 4:6 Brewing Method