Simon Brown + Merlith Cruz • Washed • Geisha • Peru

About this coffee

Flavour Notes - Earl Grey, Lemon Curd, Wethers Original

Merlith and her husband Simon acquired the farm in 2019, beginning their journey into coffee cultivation shortly thereafter. In early 2020, they planted their first trees, focusing on a carefully selected range of Ethiopian varieties across a two-hectare sub-plot. Within this area, they established five distinct lines, some consisting of compact-growing plants while others are taller and bear a closer resemblance to Bourbon types. The farm also features a dedicated Geisha section composed of two separate lines. One originates from Ethiopian Geisha stock, while the other was developed using seeds sourced from Panama. At present, most of the Geisha coffee in production comes from the Panama-derived line, which has shown particularly strong performance under the farm’s conditions. From the outset, Merlith and Simon have prioritized sustainable farming practices and the preservation of biodiversity. Their approach minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers, relying instead on careful soil management. Weed control is carried out entirely by hand, reflecting their commitment to environmentally responsible cultivation methods. Nearly all coffee produced at Las Etiopes is processed using the fully washed method. Since the farm’s establishment, Merlith and her team have continuously refined their processing techniques, adapting them to suit the specific characteristics of each variety grown. For Geisha lots like this one, only the ripest cherries are selected through careful hand harvesting, followed by meticulous hand sorting. After collection, the cherries are rinsed and then floated in fresh, cold spring water. This step helps eliminate lower-quality beans while also cleaning the fruit and reducing microbial presence, ensuring a higher standard of quality in the final product.