Ecuador
Grace Morales

This lot is classified ML (microlot) grade by Caravela, one of the highest quality tiers of this importer.

Washed process Typica Mejorado

Flavour: melon, marmalade, green grape

Body: Acidity:

50 years ago, there were no streets or roads leading to this farm. People could only access the area by walking or on a horse. There were two routes, which still exist today, crossing the summit and forming a cross visible from afar; this is how Grace’s grandfather named the farm. Even when Grace’s father took over, there were still no suitable roads for transporting heavy goods. He aimed to mechanize various processes on his land but faced difficulty in transporting the required machinery. He began studying mechanics and eventually had the machines brought up in small pieces, then reassembled them on the farm. Thanks to his dedication, this farm became the first in the region to have some mechanized processes.

The farm sits amidst virgin jungle, harboring a diverse array of species that can be observed while wandering across the land. Although coffee is the primary crop, it occupies less than 2% of the farm’s total area. The rest of the 350-hectare land is dedicated to growing various other fruits and vegetables for sale and export. It holds special significance for the extended family, serving as a hub for gatherings and holidays. Today, Grace employs natural and washed processes in coffee production. She believes in offering different profiles to cater to various tastes, reflecting her passion for high-quality food products and the desire to provide something truly exceptional. Working primarily with her brother, the entire family comes together to lend a helping hand whenever needed.

Grace and Bryan are relatively new to coffee production, having planted their trees less than 10 years ago. After eagerly awaiting their first proper harvest, they are now excited to embark on their coffee journey. Grace’s dedication to her craft and her desire to offer exceptional products reflect the family’s legacy on this farm. As they continue to expand and innovate, the farm stands as a testament to the hard work and passion that have shaped it over the decades, remaining a cherished place for generations to come.

Sourcing and ingredients

100% Typica Mejorado coffee beans, roasted by us on Gadigal land / Sydney.

Country grade: Unknown ?

Importer grade: ML/X-Grade (Caravela) ?

Packaging

Bag: ABA Certified home compostable
Label: Recyclable
Valve (on bags larger than 250g): General waste
Coffee ordered online is shipped in a recyclable cardboard box

Brewing this coffee

We recommend brewing this coffee 15–49 days post-roast. If pre-ground, brew as soon as possible. Our advice on storing coffee.

1:3
dose:yield
ratio

To brew on espresso, we recommend using 20g of beans (dose) to get 60g of espresso out (yield), during 24-28 seconds.

g dose

g yield

View the how to brew espresso (single origin) guide.

1:16.7
beans:water
ratio

To brew in infusion/fed brewers (V60, Chemex) use a ratio of 1:16.7 ratio of beans:water.

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

1:14.3
beans:water
ratio

To brew in immersion brewers (plunger, AeroPress, Kalita, batch brewer) we recommend using a 1:14.3 ratio of beans:water

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

1:12
beans:water
ratio

To brew as cold brew we recommend using a 1:12 ratio of beans:water

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

Producer: Grace Morales
Farm/Coop: Finca Cruz Loma
Country: Ecuador
Region: Pichincha
Altitude: 1850m above sea level
Varietals: Typica Mejorado
Process: washed
Harvested: October 2024
Body
Acidity
Tasting notes: Melon, marmalade, green grape
Roast style: Omni (filter + espresso)

Varietals

Typica Mejorado varietal

Mejorado is a very unique variety mainly grown in Ecuador.

Recent genetic testing by World Coffee Research demonstrated that Typica Mejorado is a hybrid of Bourbon and Ethiopian Heirloom/Landrace—it’s not a descendant of the Typica lineage, even though it’s taken the name of ‘Typica Mejorado’.

The cup profile is meant to have a more refined sweetness and body and a higher quality acidity compared to the regular Bourbon variety.

The location

Coffee from Ecuador

For a long time most of Ecuador’s coffee production was for commodity grade export or the production of soluble coffees (freeze dried coffee). Only in the last few years has the potential of the country’s coffee production been really explored. We’re very excited about the potential Ecuador and have some truly exceptional coffees

Farm processes

Washed process

Machines are used to remove the flesh from the coffee cherry before being fermented in water, washed again, and finally sun dried. This process tends to result in more distinct, cleaner flavours.