Why coffee you ask? Several years ago, I read an article about the growing number of people roasting coffee at home. Since my baking hobby had started shrinking my pants, I found the idea of roasting coffee interesting. After all, I have always loved coffee, and many of my fondest memories and deepest thoughts have been shared with family and friends over a steaming cup of coffee. So, I took an introduction to home roasting class, and I was immediately hooked! My new hobby quickly became an obsession. I found myself spending hours reading and learning about the different varieties of coffee plants, the regions where they grow, and the people that passionately plant, nurture, and harvest these plants. I realized that coffee for them was not just a vocation, but a way of life that is deeply imbedded in their culture, economy, and society. Whether it be a large finca in Guatemala or the tiniest micro lot farmer in Ethiopia, they all share the same life-long pursuit of growing the perfect beans that will ultimately become the perfect cup of coffee. And, from that coffee plant, the farmers have grown families, communities, churches, schools, health care clinics, as well as saving our rainforests. I ask you, “can coffee save the world?” Perhaps! It certainly has changed mine for the better!
-Kirstie
My mission is simple. It is to bring to my community premium specialty grade coffees from around the world. My promise to you is to always source beans that are responsibly grown and harvested. I promise to take great pride and care into roasting every batch. I promise to continue to learn and grow as a nano roaster so that I can roast the best darn coffee you have ever tasted!
The Kateshi coffee estate, as one of the first coffee estates in Zambia, was established in 1972 close to the Kateshi village. Back then, its wet processing facilities represented the heart of coffee production in northern Zambia having been the central mill for all coffee produced in the region. It is also award-winning. Its natural and honey processed coffees have placed both 1st and 2nd place in Zambia’s annual “Taste of Harvest” competition.
The local community is at the heart of the estate’s vision as it provides daily access to safe drinking water to over 20,000 locals and supports 3 schools that provide 1,500+ students with primary and secondary education. Also on site is a health clinic, which is the only healthcare facility in the area. Complete with a pharmacy and delivery room, the clinic provides free basic healthcare to over 4,000 community members and sees an average of 95 visitors per day.
Kateshi has been recognized for boldly challenging gender stereotypes in Zambia as well. It is the first and only coffee estate to employ women for traditionally male-dominated roles such as driving tractors, bulldozers, and road graders. A strong focus on gender equality makes this coffee a direct contributor to the empowerment of women that is not restricted to the farm. The newfound sense of independence and pride also spills over into the neighboring communities. Oh, and they also sponsor a football (that’s soccer for us Americans) team, the Kateshi Coffee Bullets Football Club, that competes in the Zambian 1st Division Football League.
Organic Dry Process Kabare Katana
Notes of dried fruits like peach, apple and pear, with an acetic winey accent, and spiced-sweet aroma that's like Belgian style beer.
Alajuela SHB EP - El Poeta
A clean, medium bodied coffee with bright floral notes balanced with nutty & chocolaty undertones.
Gerbicho Rogicha
Notes of jasmine pearl tea, rose hard candy, pink bubblegum, notes of satsuma orange, limeade, and black tea in finish.
A high-octane coffee blend that has deep, rich, and nutty chocolatiness. Great for Espresso.
Anaerobic Honey Turelelo
Notes of winey plum, fruit liqueurs, dried stone fruit, woody cedar, and bergamot with an underlying bittersweetness.
Guatemala Patzun Finca Las Camelias
Notes of snickerdoodle cookie, caramel, praline nut, brisk black tea with lemon in light roasts. Syrupy and chocolate-centered when roasted darker.
Teodosa Morena Parainema
Middle roasts brew up well rounded flavors that are caramel-sweet, creamy, and moderately bright. Profiles play off toffee and praline nut notes, herbal lemongrass tea, Dutch cocoa and woody spices.
Altura Chiapas/Oaxaca
A very chocolaty cup of coffee, fuller bodied with low acidity, with some nutty & herbal accents
El Diamante Doña Luz
Notes of honey, berry sherbet, and dark drinking chocolate.
Organic Decaffeinated SWP
A smooth medium-bodied coffee with notes of malt, dark chocolate, cola, and citrus.
Milles Collines Peaberry
A coffee with lively and bright flavors, fragrant notes of loose leaf tea and whole spices, hints of dark grape and cherry, orange peel, and creamy chocolate.
Mandheling G1 - Aceh
A full-bodied coffee with tastes of chocolate, cedar, sweet tobacco, and spice along with mild acidity and a creamy body.
Peaberry - Mbozi District - Songwe
A full-bodied coffee with notes of baker's chocolate, African spice, and roasty/smokey tones.
Robusta - Central Highlands
A heavy-bodied Robusta offering with a stout body and a balanced cup with a clean finish.
Kateshi Estate AA
A fuller bodied cup with a sweet lemony crispness balanced with a chocolaty dark tone and hints of nuttiness and spice in the aftertaste. When roasted dark, it is smoky and chocolaty with hints of spice.