For many, the term “microlot” can be a little misleading. The word itself seems like it may simply be a small lot of coffee, but it’s much more than that. A microlot is a plot of land, often smaller than their regular production area, which producers dedicate to growing coffee of exceptional quality. Working a smaller area of land allows the farmers to focus their time and attention to developing the coffee’s truly unique and wonderful qualities. The coffees grown there are called microlot coffees.
Growing coffee is a lengthy process, taking an average of 4 years from seed to harvest. For this reason, there has been extensive investigative and experimental input by the buyer, grower or both, to produce a coffee with such unique characteristics. These coffees are harvested from a particular plot of land, band of altitude and processed in a separate way from the rest of the coffee from the farm, to amplify their special qualities.
These coffees are not only unique in quality and flavors, but are also unique in availability. Because these microlots are often grown with great purpose and intent, they produce a smaller amount than an ordinary harvest, creating a kind of “limited edition” coffee.
This process not only allows us access to exceptional coffees, but also benefits the farmers and producers of these beans. Without a direct connection of exporter, buyer or roasters to the farmers, their carefully grown and picked beans would be added to a co-op, blended out and bought at commercial price. When a farmer grows microlot coffees, they have an opportunity to step outside of the barriers of industry pricing and sell their beans at a higher price, allowing them to reinvest and grown in their own community. The push for direct trade in the coffee industry has allowed coffee producers to create and grow coffees with patience and skill without fear that their hard work or innovation will go unrecognized and under priced.
We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the opportunity to experience and taste truly incredible, exclusive coffees but more than that, we are honored to be part of an industry that is constantly growing and encouraging deep connections between both producers, roasters and drinkers.