Ka’u Natural Typica

Blind Assessment: Deeply sweet, richly tart. Wisteria, tangerine zest, sandalwood, pomegranate, cashew in aroma and cup. Juicy, bittersweet acidity; satiny, buoyant mouthfeel. The richly drying finish consolidates to resonant notes of wisteria and pomegranate.

Notes: Ka’u is an emerging Hawaii coffee-growing district centered approximately 30 miles southeast of the famous Kona region. This 100% Ka’u coffee was developed by Lorie Obra of Rusty’s Farm, one of Ka’u’s best-known and most celebrated farms. Obra meticulously picks, processes and roasts her coffees using traditional methods and artisan attention. This coffee comes from trees of the traditional Typica variety and was processed by the natural method, in which the coffee is dried inside the whole fruit, rather than by the more orthodox “washed” method, in which the soft fruit residue is removed before the beans are dried. Visit www.rustyshawaiian.com or call 808-928-8916 for more information.

The Bottom Line: A dried-in-the-fruit or natural cup that engages by way of sweet florals and appealing tart fruit notes.