Sunshower Farms Wine Barrel Aged



   Here I have Part 2 of a 4-Part series of delicious coffees from the folks over at Sunshower Farms out of Holualoa, Hawaii. Their coffee is grown on 8 acres at 2400 ft. elevation in the heart of the Kona Coffee Belt. Every afternoon, clouds and often also a thick fog rolls into the coffee orchard. Although not technically shaded by trees like orchards in other parts of the world, their coffee is in fact shade grown, on account of these features of their local climate. The growing season is year-round, with harvest spanning from mid-August through April. It is a long harvest season for anywhere in the world, Kona included, which is due mostly to their high elevation. In fact, their harvest season is so long that the coffee trees flower for the next year’s crop while beans from the current harvest year are still on the tree (sometimes on the same branch!). This long growing season allows their beans to mature more slowly and increases their natural sugars, which can enhance the flavor of the coffee. As their coffee ripens during the harvest season, it is hand-picked, ensuring that only the ripest coffee makes it to the end cup. 

   This is Sunshower Farms' Wine Barrel Aged 100% Kona Coffee. They "age" the coffee by storing their washed process green coffee in empty liqour barrels until the coffee has absorbed the right amount of flavor from the alcohol. These coffees are alcohol free, as any trace amounts of alcohol are burned off in the roast. This red wine barrel aged coffee was aged specifically in petit verdot barrels. Sunshower notes it having a very subtle wine flavor and is great for anyone who likes a slightly fruity cup. I brewed this at my 1:12 ratio. This bean wasn't as "boozy" as past barrel conditioned beans I have had, but tasty regardless. I got very nice dark berry & stone fruits in this cup, obviously from the wine barrel aging. Nice chocolatey & woodsy & roasty notes as well. I love cold brewing barrel aged beans. I feel it definitely highlights the conditioning of the beans. Very good stuff here everyone! 

   Thanks again to Kate & Doug & Sunshower Farms for the amazing beans. Be on the lookout for their other bean features soon to come.

Go check out what they are all about:  sunshowercoffee.com



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