Colombia - Hacienda Pradera / Mokka / Natural (Green Coffee) 1KG

This particular lot comes from Hacienda La Pradera, an organic coffee estate in Santander, Colombia, managed by third-generation producer Oscar Daza Bautista. The farm is situated at 1,950 metres above sea level, where warm daytime temperatures, cool evenings and regular rainfall create favourable conditions for producing exceptional specialty coffee.

Mokka is one of the rarest and most challenging coffee varieties to cultivate and process, distinguished by its exceptionally small cherries and tiny seeds. Its appearance is so unusual that it almost resembles an entirely different species of coffee.

What makes Mokka particularly interesting is the extraordinary amount of work involved in its production. The cherries are significantly smaller than those of conventional Arabica varieties, making selective harvesting far more labour-intensive. Pickers must carefully identify and collect ripe cherries, with this particular lot requiring a minimum sugar concentration of 20° Brix.

Processing these tiny cherries presents further challenges. After harvesting, the cherries are washed and placed into a controlled anaerobic environment for 120 hours of fermentation. Throughout this five-day period, temperature and pH are carefully managed to ensure consistency and control over fermentation.

The cherries are then transferred to raised drying beds, where they undergo a slow drying process lasting up to 22 days, reaching a final moisture content of approximately 10.8–11%.

Even after drying, Mokka requires additional attention during milling. Its unusually small seeds demand precise machine calibration, and the process often requires multiple passes to minimise damage and separate the coffee effectively. This makes Mokka considerably more time-consuming to prepare, with potentially greater losses compared to larger coffee varieties.

Despite these challenges, the results can be extraordinary. This is one of the finest examples of Mokka we've ever tasted, offering a rich and expressive cup with notes of rum, raisin and red cherry. Its distinctive chocolate-coated sultana sweetness is complemented by vibrant acidity, creating a beautifully balanced and complex coffee.

As far as we're aware, this is currently the only Mokka available in Australia. For home roasters interested in exploring unusual varieties, this is an exceptionally rare opportunity to experience a coffee that is as fascinating in its physical characteristics as it is in the cup.

Expected flavour profile: Rum, raisin, red cherry, chocolate.