Layo Teraga (GREEN)

The clarity, structure, and balanced acidity of this lot from the Layo Teraga cooperative in Uraga, Guji made it one of our favorite samples of the season. Approximately 1,800 smallholder garden farmers contribute to the cooperative, which has long provided market access for a zone perhaps slightly lesser known to the general public than some of its neighbors but every bit as capable of producing remarkable coffees. The elevations of the farms here are staggering (ranging upwards of 2,400 masl), and the seeds very dense. We experimented with resting this green for an extended period to allow its freshness and density time to open and soften. The resulting cup is bright, crisp, and clear, with notes of ripe berry and white florals and a soft, spiced finish.