Bell Lane Coffee once again delivers a coffee with a story worth tasting. La Morena is not just a specialty coffee, but a symbol of change in the Guatemalan coffee industry. In a country where women make up 70% of the coffee workforce but often don't have access to fair farmgate prices, an initiative has been created to help them gain recognition and economic stability. The result is a cup with notes of green apple, brown sugar and chocolate brownies - balanced, sweet and refreshing. Thanks to omni roasting, you'll enjoy this coffee in both espresso and filter.
The La Morena project was created in 2016 to support women farmers and give them a fairer market. From the original four female producers, the project has grown to over 800 women from the Huehuetenango and Baja Verapaz regions of Guatemala. In addition to decent farmgate prices, the program provides women farmers with training in modern growing and processing techniques, which improves the quality of their coffee and helps them to sustain themselves in the market. They grow varieties such as Bourbon, Caturra and Catuai, which, combined with the high altitude and ideal climate, give the coffee a distinct and sophisticated flavor profile.
The washed processing method underlines the purity and freshness of this coffee. After hand-picking, the cherries are stripped of their skins and pulp, then fermented in water tanks for 12-48 hours, during which time enzymes naturally remove the remaining pulp. After fermentation, the coffee beans are thoroughly washed and dried on raised beds, which helps them maintain an even quality. This process brings out the bright fruity acidity, sweetness and smooth texture of the cup.