Country: China
Region: Menglian, Yunnan
Varietal: Catimor
Process: Honey
Altitude: 1,400 MASL
Cupping Notes: Apricot, Orange, Fudge
Description: The Kaku farm is located in the Menglian region of Southwest Yunnan. It is owned by Mr. Li, a second-generation coffee farmer who is passionate about growing coffee and his family legacy. The Kaku farm is one of few in Menglian, and one of fewer still that has weathered changing policies, fluctuating markets and the catastrophic frost of 1998. Through all of this, Mr. Li has become a local pillar of the coffee community and is deeply involved, providing education and medical assistance to local families in need.
In the Menglian region, coffee is picked by the local Wa tribe. For Donka coffee, picking is also done by the Akha, Dai and Lahu tribes. (The farm and washing station owners are members of the Han people.) The Kaku farm yields roughly 20 tons per harvest. The coffee is first pulped and then dry-fermented for 18 hours. Subsequently, the coffee passes through density channels to sort for defects. Finally, the coffee is spread on concrete patios to dry for approximately 10 days.