Genetics x Environment x Management
Frequent GEM collaborators Moises and Marysabel from Finca El Puente bring us GEM 008—the first Batian variety coffee grown in Honduras. Developed by researchers in Kenya, Batian was bred to resist diseases while maintaining the vibrant complexity Kenyan coffees are famous for. Finca El Puente has had great success with Kenyan varieties, especially their SL28, which is the best we have tasted outside of Kenya. Unfortunately, climate change has made SL28 increasingly difficult to grow in Marcala so when they got the chance to try Batian, they eagerly planted it. After three years of anticipating the first full harvest, the wait is over, The results are nothing short of excellent. The coffee delights with a vibrant burst of clementine and currant, rounded out by a smooth, toffee sweetness that lingers on the palate.