Whole Bean
Roast: Light
Recommended Rest: 2-3 weeks from roast date
Tasting Notes: lychee gummy, elderflower, calpico

Origin Details

Region: Yunnan, China
Elevation: 1300-1500masl
Producer: Olina Cai, Project One Light
Process: Anaerobic Honey
Variety: Catimor

ABOUT THIS COFFEE AND PRODUCER

Founded in 2020 in the heart of Mangshi, Yunnan, China. Project One Light is a specialty coffee processing project led by Olina Cai, a local with deep roots in the coffee and tea industry. Her team includes Q-graders and processing experts who prioritize ethics, environmental care, and quality at every step of the process.

For this lot, the cherries are first double floated to sort for uniform ripeness. Then the outer skin of the cherries are removed while leaving part of the mucilage and pulp. Controlled enzymatic hydrolysis is then used to break down the pectin layer and facilitate fermentation. The coffee is then inoculated with a specialized yeast and placed into sealed tanks for 9 to 14 days. Finally, they are dried for 15 to 20 days.

WHY WE SELECTED THIS COFFEE

We’re excited to share our second coffee from Project One Light. This lot, Blue Iris, carries some resemblance to the Peach Oolong we previously offered, but ultimately moves in its own direction. The first thing that stands out is a distinct lychee gummy sweetness, tropical and soft with a very expressive, pleasant quality. That sweetness is balanced by cooler blue-purple florals, with elderflower adding a gentle high note to the cup. Running through it all is a light, Calpico-like creaminess that rounds out the mouthfeel and keeps the profile feeling cohesive without losing clarity. A similar yet different view compared to our last lot but just as fun.