Ulster County residents can order directly at copticlightcoffee@gmail.com to schedule a FREE pick-up or delivery
Shipping: (1 bag $3) (2-6 bags $4) (7 or more $5)
"Do you want to cup first or go see the coffee farm first?" These were the first words out of Anny's mouth when I rolled down my car window to meet her for the first time. I could already feel her energy - she was ready to go and take action. "Coffee farm!" I excitedly replied and jumped into her vehicle.
As I rode with her uphill, I learned that Anny was a self-made coffee farmer. Just nine years ago she had returned home to the Sun Moon Lake area after obtaining her university degree in social work, looking for something more grassroots. "I just wanted to do something different with social work," said Anny. "At first, my dad asked me to take over the betelnut farm and I said, 'No, betelnut's ability to build relationships with people is too weak. What I really want to do is interact with people."
And so, with the help of her father, Anny began her part-time coffee farming career. She happened to come across a series of courses offered by the township to promote Sun Moon Lake's specialty coffee. They invited coffee experts from across Taiwan to teach everything from planting and processing to roasting and brewing. She also started working in the township's Agricultural Economics Department. Three years later, the coffee cherries began to yield a steady and abundant harvest, and Anny officially became a full-time coffee farmer.
Because of her self-made coffee background, Anny has no hesitation to experiment at her coffee farm. She is open to trying any processing method, which at the moment includes anaerobic fermentation and also using the juices from her natural processed cherries in the next fermentation batch. She is willing to work with the local township to try new natural pesticides or varieties. She is testing out the effectiveness of betelnut pulp as an organic fertilizer and also if coffee leaves and flowers can be made into a tea product. The list goes on and on!
Although Anny loves experimenting, her true passion is still social work and she continuously strives to make Hua Yin, her coffee farm, a community center. Hua Yin has hosted events large and small over the past eight years, from social gatherings with classmates and friends to the annual Sun Moon Lake Coffee Awards and Exhibition, and participation in international coffee competitions. Her goal for the upcoming year is to collaborate with other farmers to promote local coffee in Sun Moon Lake.
Coptic Light is so pleased to present to you a red honey processed coffee from Anny's Hua Yin coffee farm. In this processing method, some of the coffee cherry pulp is still left on the seed when the coffee is drying, and Anny has skillfully executed her own take on this processing method (see details below). The resulting cup profile is clean and sweet with a unique blend of plum, blackberry, and clove with a nice dark chocolate base providing a smooth body. We are so excited for you to sip and enjoy this coffee, which we are releasing as a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!
Country, Region: Taiwan, Nantou
Producer, Farm: Yuchun "Anny" Gao, Hua Yin
Processing: Red Honey - after the cherries are picked and depulped, they are placed in a drying machine for 16 hours and then placed in a bag for 8 hours. They are then dried until they reach 9-11% humidity.
Variety: SL34
Elevation: 850 masl
Tasting Notes: Plum, Blackberry, Clove, Dark Chocolate
