Stonecutter Coffee Series: Oscar Omar Alonzo Honey Process - 10 LBS LEFT!
Our Stonecutter Coffee is a rotating highlight coffee series - a tribute to the rich history of Deer Isle-Stonington's granite quarrying industry that peaked in the early 1900s. These beans are selected for their "je ne sais quoi" and often come to us from unique coffee producing regions of the world, embracing inventive processing methods, and/or out of this world flavor from small farms. Limited amounts available, changing frequently, and now packaged in our one of a kind Stonecutter 10 oz. coffee tubes!
These tubes are a new package adventure for us. Designed and hand drawn by Deer Isle local Farrell Ruppert, they feature the slabs of granite quarried out of Stonington. Made of 100% FSC certified paper, soy ink, with gold foiled accents and a sticker of the current origin inside. For every tube made, a portion of profits are donated to One Tree Planted.
The inhabitants of the community of El Trapiche in Chinacla had historically devoted themselves to growing sugar cane, which is why the community was named “El Trapiche” after the artisanal mill used to grind sugar cane. Because of its history of sugar cane cultivation, the earth in El Trapiche lacked organic material. In 1996 Oscar Omar Alonzo decided to start growing coffee, within 3 years, and through intensive irrigation, Oscar had a bountiful first harvest. By 2001, at the suggestion of the general manager of COMSA, Rodolfo Peñalba, Oscar decided to transition away from conventional production into an organic system. The transition was not easy. His production dropped dramatically and he lost hope in his farm. In 2007 he decided that it was necessary to make a dramatic change, and with that change the name of his farm. He came across a littered piece of paper with a drawing of a man riding a bicycle uphill. He realized that bicycles don’t pollute, and that in order to ride them, you are supposed to maintain a balance as you pedal forever in a forward direction. It was at this point that Oscar decided to rename his farm “Cual Bicicleta” or “Which Bicycle”.
Oscar is a model farmer at COMSA, maintaining excellent production practices, producing microlots as well as for the general harvest of their washed coffees. Oscar is also very involved in his community, protecting water sources and developing watershed areas. Oscar is proud to have his coffee featured in the preparation of Son Of A Baptist Beer, made by Epic Brewing in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, available across 13 states in the country. In March 2017, Oscar won first place in the regional Marcala Cup of Excellence competition, placing first with a Geisha coffee at 91.14 points.
Alix, Head Roaster here at 44 North, got to meet Oscar Omar Alonzo on her trip to Honduras in March. “We had dinner at his mother’s pink home, with the pink sunset sky, overlooking his massive coffee plants. Of all the farms we visited, his plants were taller than me (6+ ft.) and LOADED with coffee cherries. Everyone else was nearing the end of their harvest and Oscar knew he would be picking for another month or more. His plants are beautiful and lush, the cherries were huge, sweet, and juicy. He made a coffee wine that was delicious and sweet. Quite the story-teller, we enjoyed a delicious meal with his family and listening to him talk about his years and passion for growing coffee. Each plant gets over 40 lbs. of organic compost per growing season!”
We decided on a true medium roast to highlight this coffee. The acidity is mellow, the body is so buttery, and the sweetness is just perfect, a very mild, sweet and ripe plum comes through, with that super subtle tartness of the perfect fresh plum, and lastly notes of nougat in the creamy mouthfeel. We all really enjoy this coffee and we hope you do too. It is great black and with the addition of dairy.
Tasting Notes: Plum, nougat, buttery body
Location: El Trapiche, Chinacla, Marcala, La Paz, Honduras
Farmer Cooperative: Oscar Omar Alonzo in conjunction with APROCOMSA
Latitude: 14º North
Certified Organic & Fair Trade
All tubes come Whole Bean. For ground beans please select "Ground" and specify your brew method in the "Special Instructions" box in the lower left corner on the Cart page. Default grind is drip.
Not available for recurring subscription due to limited quantity.