WINTER HOARD 2024
What is W I N T E R H O A R D?
As the name might suggest, it is a fruity, ripe juicy cocktail of a coffee blend. During the year, we buy many fantastic coffees. We save some of our favourites that work in a certain way! This year WH is an Omni (from 3 different countries from 3 long term suppliers) and works well as a filter or dreamy espresso. It is a different year, with different coffees. Winter Hoard 2024 is something quite special. We have tried many combinations of our favourite coffees and profiles and are finally happy. Think fruit cocktail.
Why is it still here?
Winter Hoard is still here because of the expectant buzz from home and professionals, wondering when it will be ready. We really love the process of sourcing for WH and then brewing it a lot over the coming months, into the next January. Yikes.
Ingredients:
A few of our favourite coffees of the season.
Vera Stuckers: Tanzania Ngila Estate Red Honey
Tesfaye Bekeley’s Ethiopian Suke Quto Natural
Alejo Castro’s Costa Rica Volcan Azul Starmaya F1
Roast: One Roast
Recommended recipes;
I think WH is a true “One-Roast” this year. There is great soluble (strength even though it is a light roast) and it is everything I love about the hoard in ripeness and low sweet acidity.
Recommended recipes;
Filter: 60g a litre and up for a tasty filter.
Cup potential:🥣
|Aromatics: Ripe, fruity and floral | Body: Light| Acidity: Ripe-boozy summer fruits. Soft Citrus.|
Well someone had to evaluate and write this up, and it is no sacrifice I must add. On opening (WH2024) there is a heady aroma of ripe, floral fruit. The first sip has a touch of tanins, ripe tropical fruit and a soft lingering citrus. The sweetness is high like honey, as the fruit sugars open up. The citus element fades as the soft ripe red and purple fruit sugars dominate. As the liquid cools, the acidity elevates and the citus lingers.
Espresso: Brewing Guide For Winter Hoard 2024.
We set this up on a La Marzocco Linea Classic S and a Mahlkonig E65GBW
9oz milk-based drinks. Creamy fruit salad. This shouldn’t work as well as it does.
6oz Milk-based drinks Intensely fruity and just more of everything.
Espresso: Brew temp 94C+:
Extraction 25+ secs :
Espresso ratio for milk-based drinks: 1-2 or 17-18g of coffee into about 34-35g of espresso liquid.
Espresso ratio 17-18g of espresso in -45-50g Although this is a relatively light roast, it doesn’t need to be an extra long extraction. Also don’t feel trapped by fashionable videos encouraging you to use bigger doses of coffee. It isn’t bad or wrong, it is an opinion. Sometimes worth a try too. I am always looking at ways of making coffee better.
Resting is good for this coffee if you can bear it. Being a lighter roast, it is brewable sooner than a more traditional espresso roast.
If you would like to share your brews with us, feel free to tag us …
