Featured Roast: Cuban Altura Lavado

We are back in Cuba. The Cuban Altura Lavado has come around again on our rotation of Featured Roasts.

Cuban coffees have a reputation for quality. They can also be rare and difficult to come by. With the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy this could be even more so.

The Cuban Altura Lavado comes from the eastern region of Cuba on the steeps slopes of the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Though there is no lack of flavour or body the Altura Lavado isn’t as heavy  as coffees of the Asian Pacific. Where as the Sumatran Blue Tawar had some deep earthy qualities to it — some might say a jungle forest floor, the earthiness here seems to recall a brightness, with tones of cocoa, tanned leather and a bit of tobacco (fresh tobacco not smoked!).

One way to enjoy it is as a “Caffe Cubano”. An espresso with a little sugar (usually raw) brewed right in. Enjoy it while it is here.