Finca Leoncia ~ Herbazu Black honey

Beans:  Finca Leoncia ～ Herbazu Washing Station
Roaster: Nama-mame Hompo
Roasting Degree: Full city
Origin/Area: Lourdes, Valle Occidental, 
                     Western Valley Region, Costa Rica
Grade: SHB
Screen: N/A
Defect: N/A
Altitude: 1,650m
Variety: Catuai
Process: Black Honey

【Flavor scale】
Aroma: 5
Sweetness: 5
Acidity: 3
Bitterness: 3
Richness: 3    　　
※Grade 1 to 5

【Impression】
Medium dark to dark, lightly citric, lime, high-tone yuzu citrus peel, slightly burbon vanilla hidden, smokey, hickory, star anise, mellow, hazel nuts cream, milk chocolate, round and pearly mouth feel, juicy, well balanced sweetness and bitterness, fresh prune, pear, apricot, white sesame butter, beets sugar, maple butter, a touch of cardamon, golden brown toast like crispy feeling hidden, brisk but light acidity, green apple, juicy clean sweetness a long lasting after taste.   

【Note】
Herbazu washing station is a pioneer and the very first drip to create a ripple in, so called, "Micro Mill movements".  Established in 2001, Herbazu washing station, a wet process micro-mill, has been the independent/family own and pioneer coffee mills since.  The Barrantes families, the owner of Herbazu Micro Mill, is more than 50yrs of coffee farmers, who also owns 13 micro farms around the station grow Caturra, Catuai and Villa Sarchi.  Herubazu micro mill won rank 9 in Costa Rican COE 2012 with Villa Sarchi from Leoncio, Finca Leoncia, managed/owned by Manuel Barrantes, who is third generation of the family.  They follow traditional methods including sun-dry on patio and African beds, as well as produce variety of honey coffees.

【What is Black honey?】
Black honey is characterized extremely sweet and full bodied with fruitiness.  It is said that “black honey is unique process to create the sweetest beans.”  Whether it is true or not, there are several mills trying to produce “black honey” lately even there are no corroborative scientific analysis.  In black honey process, zero percentage of mucilage is removed and dried with cover and quick fermentation periods, which gives unique flavor.  Honey process has several types, but “black honey” process is only one honey process dried with cover.