Australia - Crater Mountain / Catuai / Wine Yeast Natural

From the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, this Catuai comes from Crater Mountain, an Australian specialty coffee farm operated by Lucy Stocker and James in Upper Barron.

Situated at approximately 1,040 metres above sea level on the slopes of an extinct volcano, Crater Mountain is one of Australia's highest-altitude coffee farms. The region's volcanic soils, tropical climate and cooler mountain temperatures provide a distinctive environment for coffee cultivation, while Lucy and James have developed a strong focus on quality, sustainability and experimental processing.

Crater Mountain has become particularly interesting for its exploration of controlled fermentation, with Lucy experimenting with different yeast cultures and processing techniques to explore the potential of Australian-grown coffee. Rather than relying solely on traditional processing methods, the farm has embraced a more considered approach to fermentation, seeking to develop greater complexity and distinctive flavour characteristics.

This particular Catuai undergoes a seven-day wine yeast natural process, where selected wine yeast is introduced during fermentation to influence the development of flavour and aroma. Following fermentation, the coffee is dried with the fruit intact, allowing further development of sweetness and fruit character. While extended fermentation can often produce intense, boozy or heavily fermented flavours, this particular lot demonstrates a much more restrained and elegant expression.

In the cup, expect a beautifully balanced and delicate profile, with soft florals, ripe nectarine and a gentle toffee sweetness. The coffee has a clean, refined character with an elegant structure, allowing the fruit and floral notes to shine without being overwhelmed by the fermentation. There's still a recognisable Australian-grown coffee character, but with an added layer of complexity and refinement that makes this lot particularly enjoyable.

For us, this coffee is a wonderful example of the potential of Australian specialty coffee. It demonstrates how thoughtful processing can elevate the qualities of locally grown varieties without sacrificing clarity or balance. A particularly elegant and enjoyable expression of Australian Catuai, and one we're delighted to share.

Flavour profile: Florals, nectarine, toffee.

Weight: 150g

[Note] This coffee is roasted to order, please allow 1–2 business days prior to dispatch.