Banka

Intriguing and bold, Banka’s Yunnan micro-lot bursts with red berry, prune, and candied lemon—a glimpse into China’s vibrant coffee future.

Producer:  Banka Washing Station

Region:  Menglian Dai, Lahu and Va Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China

Cultivar: Catimor P3 and P4

Process: Natural

Altitude:  1350 masl

The Yunnan region, famed for biodiversity and tea, has gained recognition for unique, fruit forward specialty coffees in the last decade.  Early production in China focused on volume washed coffees for the ever-growing domestic market. Once production stabilised, recent years have seen diversification into micro-lots and alternative processing methods that are breaking pre-conceptions around the world.

Banka farm in Yunnan runs an unusual method of checking harvested coffee fruit quality in that cherries are passed through an optical sorter.  This is a technique used in other fruit harvesting and may be a window into the future for coffee.  It’s a technique delivering real results and this micro-lot from the farms of nearby Banka village was checked in this very way before being fermented and dried.

A light roast brings out the very best of Banka’s unique and expressive flavour profile. The extended fermentation has developed red berry and prune flavours, complemented by hazelnut and warming white pepper spice. A base of bakers chocolate and a syrupy texture creates a balanced foundation.  Over this a tangy candied lemon citrus acidity adds structure and length to the finish.