foto esempio

The new frontiers of coffee – Cogeco projects

Back in 2008, with a view to further expand the range of products offered to our clients and to Italian coffee roasting companies, Cogeco started approaching various coffee producing countries in order to establish a network of cooperation with local producers, producer cooperatives and exporters with the aim of getting in touch with those people who produce, harvest and export the coffee that we are so proud to supply to our clients.

An important stage towards establishing this network of contacts was our recent journey to Central America and in particular to Guatemala and El Salvador, the two countries which have been selected for their coffee’s characteristics which marry beautifully with Italian espresso coffee and perfectly match with the Italian roasting industry’s needs. After a careful selection of coffee producers and exporters, Cogeco has identified its ideal partners and has signed agreements on the basis of their proficient knowledge of the product and the local market and their interest in familiarizing themselves with all the characteristics and needs of the Italian coffee industry which, compared to other countries’ espresso coffee industry, features its own specific cupping techniques, as well as its own blends and roasting methods.

Guatemala was chosen because, thanks to its farming and preparation techniques as well as its several producing regions, it provides a wide range of coffees which are ideal for Italian espresso blends. Added to this, typical of Guatemalan coffee is its smoothness, sweetness and an extremely fine aroma. Besides this, all the selected Guatemala Washed coffees are Strictly Hard Bean from high altitude growing zones (always above 1200 m) complying with traceability requirements and, when necessary, are Rain Forest Alliance certified.

Guatemala Washed SHB Cogeco Guacamole – a fine and distinctive coffee, processed immediately before shipping so as to maintain its organoleptic characteristics intact. When roasted, it displays a consistent and even colour, has a creamy texture and a very pleasant balanced body and sweetness. The nose has a slight aroma of toasted bread while on the palate there is a pleasant zesty hint. It leaves behind a lingering tobacco finish and the desire to sip another cup.

Guatemala Washed SHB Cogeco Antigua Florinda Especial – produced in the world famous Antigua region where each farm is a luxurious, colourful sanctuary for coffee growing. Even before sampling the cup, the appearance of the roasted beans is very promising and a guarantee of a top rank tasting experience. The aroma shines with flowery and fruity notes whilst the body is balanced and very attractive with a lively acidity and a long, clean finish. This is a coffee with characteristics and compatibility with top quality espresso, that only a few other coffees can match.

El Salvador, the other selected country, is in our opinion the new frontier of the finest specialty coffees from Central America for Italian espresso coffee. This very small country, south of Guatemala, has implemented specific policies and methods in coffee growing, harvesting and processing to ensure that every single stage of the coffee production chain is carried out with the outmost care, with the aim to achieve the highest quality and to focus on gourmet and Cup of Excellence® coffees only. All El Salvador coffee types are rare gems which, up to now, only a few “coffee connoisseurs” had the chance to taste and enjoy. Typically featuring a smooth mouthful and a sweet aroma without being overtly acidic, El Salvador coffees are pleasantly welcoming when it comes to mixing them with the other components to create top quality Italian espresso blends and have a guarantee of the highest quality standards throughout the year. As a reasult of our journey, we have selected a local partner that enjoys an international reputation and, as far as we are aware, a 90° potassium-rich, mineral water natural springwell which is used during the coffee washing process (and for the natural pools surrounding the guests lodges) adding an unrivalled distinctive finish to the coffee.

Salvador SHG Naturales Batres Farm Aurum – after spending many years researching, we have finally found our authentic Naturales! This coffee reaches its best once roasted, displaying an even colour, a dense long-lasting creaminess and a thick dark texture. It is rather neutral on the nose with a subtle fruity note. It has a great body and its major strentgh is the perfectly balanced mixture of flavours which is never too acidic.

Salvador Washed SHG Batres Farm 100% Bourbon – choosing between a Salvador Pacamara and a Bourbon proved to be one of the greatest challenges we faced during the selection process, since both coffees are highly prestigious and of great quality. However, we have opted for Bourbon on the basis of its superior compatibility with the espresso coffee preparation and with the other espresso blends’ components. An appropriate degree of roasting releases a pleasantly lasting creaminess, however, the best characteristic of this coffee – as with all Salvador Washed gourmet coffees – is an intense sage and lemony hint which accompanies it throughout all stages; from the green bean to the cup, from the first sip to the citrus aftertaste it leaves in the mouth. Its medium-low acidity, great rounded body and remarkable sweetness make for truly enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, the project that started last year with the addition of further coffee varities from Brazil and Vienam to our product range (also thanks to the presence of our partner KB Commodities in those countries) is now developing further to include other producing countries, in particular those whose coffees’ characteristics marry well with those of typical Italian espresso coffee and very soon we will be offering blends produced exclusively for Cogeco, always keeping in mind our final target of supplying our customers with the best possible and most diverse coffee experience.