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    Howfen / Blend

    £10.00
    £10.00
    £10.00
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    From the depths of Brazil and Uganda. Robust richness, natural nuttiness and fiercely fruity flavours frolic and twirl. Let's dance.

    Roast / Medium

    Taste / Cocoa, Hazelnuts, Dried Fruits

    Variety / Yellow Bourbon, SL 14, SL 28

    Process / Natural

    Altitude / 1100-1800 MASL

    Quality Score / 82.0

    Size
    Grind
    Our promise

    We pride ourselves on exceptional service and top-quality coffee. Not completely satisfied? We'll do everything to make it right.
    Roast Days & Delivery

    We roast to order and ship out the very next day. We use EVRi's 48hr tracked delivery service to get your freshly roasted coffee to your door.
    Grind types explained

    Wholebean: Wholebean coffee allows you to grind your own coffee right before brewing, to keep the freshness. Some coffee machines have a grinder built-in, or you can buy one separately.

    Cafetiere: French Press or Cafetiere coffee uses a coarse grind. Grounds are separated from the coffee and there is no filter involved, so the oils from the coffee remain.

    Filter: Filter coffee grind is medium, like sea salt, and is made by pushing high-pressure water through fine coffee grounds, where the brew drips through a filter.

    Aeropress: Aeropress coffee uses a fine grind, and creates a single serving of coffee that drips through a filter to separate the coffee from the grounds.

    Espresso: Espresso coffee uses a fine, powdery grind. It has a lower ground to water ratio, and is usually thicker and more intense.
    100% Recyclable

    We care for coffee drinkers and the planet, too. You can recycle Wilby’s packaging - or even make it into a nice hat. We’re not judging.

    Chris - Wilby's Founder

    About

    A festival of fruity flavours holds out their hand for you to twist and twirl and frolic and whirl. Move to the beat of bitter cocoa cancans and fruity footsteps dancing in limbo amongst crunchy leaves of the forest. You lead, we’ll follow. 

    Our Howfen blend brings bursts of chocolate richness from Brazil and Uganda to dance on your tongue. Natural nuttiness move between the fabrics of fiercely fruity flavours destined to make your mood that bit better. Shall we dance?

    Tasting Notes

    Delectable mix of chocolate and hazelnuts with dried fruit peeping through the curtain.

    Natural Process

    Naturally processed coffee, also known as dry-processed coffee, is a traditional method where whole coffee cherries are sun-dried before hulling. This method involves spreading the cherries out on raised beds or patios to dry under the sun, turning them regularly to ensure even drying and prevent mould. Once dried, the cherries are hulled to remove the fruit and parchment, revealing the green coffee beans inside.

    The extended contact between the bean and the fruit during drying imparts intense, fruity flavours and a natural sweetness to the coffee. Common tasting notes include berries, tropical fruits, and honey-like sweetness. Naturally processed coffee also tends to have a fuller body and a smoother, lower acidity, resulting in a rich, velvety mouthfeel. This unique flavour profile makes naturally processed coffee a favourite among those seeking a vibrant, complex, and indulgent coffee experience.

    Brewing Recommendations

    If you want to say “Woah, that’s a really good cuppa” then we suggest using your V60. Using a V60 gives you precise control over water flow and extraction time allows the nuanced flavours to fully develop, creating a clean, balanced cup that accentuates the blend's complexity. This method brings out the natural sweetness and bright acidity, particularly due to the Ugandan beans, which contribute vibrant fruity notes and a refined acidity. The result is a well-rounded brew that perfectly showcases the harmonious blend of Brazilian depth and Ugandan brightness.

    Coffee Care

    Because our coffee is super fresh, we suggest you keep the packaging tightly closed or store it in an airtight container. Keep the coffee at room temperature (away from moisture) and consume within 1-2 weeks. If it even lasts that long around you, you lovely coffee guzzler.

    Sourcing & Transparency

    • Importer

      Omwani

    • Relationship

      1 Year

    • Cost

      £9.12 per kg

    • Cup Score

      82.0

    About the Producers

    • Agri Evolve

    • Mió

    In 2016, Agri Evolve began as a collection point for Dried Ugandan Arabica (DRUGAR) and cherries. Traditionally, farmers in the Rwenzori Mountains processed coffee themselves, drying cherries on tarpaulins in the sun. Initially, sourcing DRUGAR was easier due to this established practice.

    With investment in processing equipment, demonstration farms, and experienced staff, the second-year harvest saw a significant improvement in sourcing ripe cherries. Improved processing facilities followed, including a washer separator, mechanical dryers, hulling machine, and greenhouses.

    Agri Evolve's reputation grew within the farming community as a reliable place to sell coffee. We consistently paid good prices and always on time, making a significant difference for the farmers.

    Mió is a coffee farm in Monte Santo de Minas, Brazil, dedicated to exporting, importing, storing, and selling carefully harvested coffee. Spanning 1,589 hectares, the farm allocates a third of its land to processing facilities, pastures, and eucalyptus trees, home to native bees. The remaining land is equally divided between coffee trees and a native forest reserve, preserving the area's natural characteristics.

    Located between Southern Minas Gerais and the High Mogiana region, Mió's unique terrain imparts citric acidity and full-bodied sweetness to their coffee. The farm boasts a 100% traceability guarantee, tracking every stage of the coffee's journey using satellite imagery. This technology-driven approach improves farmworkers' quality of life, ensures abundant harvests, and upholds the highest processing standards.

    Mió's state-of-the-art processing facilities include a wet mill, concrete patios, raised beds, ambient-air drying machines, wood silos, cross-beater hullers, and a density separator. Beans are further sorted by size and colour using oscillating screens and an optical-electronic system, ensuring top-quality coffee.

    Customer Reviews

    Recipes

    Espresso

    Recipe:

    • Beans: 18 grams
    • Grind Size: Fine
    • Water Temperature: 93°C (200°F)
    • Yield: 36 grams (1:2 ratio)
    • Brew Time: 25-30 seconds

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat your espresso machine and portafilter.
    2. Grind 18 grams of your house blend to a fine consistency.
    3. Distribute and tamp the grounds evenly in the portafilter.
    4. Brew with water at 93°C (200°F), aiming for a yield of 36 grams in 25-30 seconds.
    5. Enjoy your espresso straight or as a base for milk-based drinks.

    French Press

    Recipe:

    • Beans: 30 grams
    • Grind Size: Coarse
    • Water Temperature: 93°C (200°F)
    • Water Amount: 500 ml
    • Brew Time: 4 minutes

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat your French press with hot water.
    2. Grind 30 grams of your house blend to a coarse consistency.
    3. Discard the preheating water and add the coffee grounds to the French press.
    4. Pour 500 ml of water at 93°C (200°F) over the grounds.
    5. Stir gently and cover with the plunger (do not press yet).
    6. Let it steep for 4 minutes.
    7. Slowly press the plunger down.
    8. Pour immediately and enjoy your rich, full-bodied coffee.

    V60

    Recipe:

    • Beans: 20 grams
    • Grind Size: Medium-fine
    • Water Temperature: 96°C (205°F)
    • Water Amount: 320 ml
    • Brew Time: 2:30-3:00 minutes

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat your V60 dripper and filter with hot water.
    2. Grind 20 grams of your house blend to a medium-fine consistency.
    3. Place the grounds in the pre-wet filter.
    4. Pour 40 ml of water at 96°C (205°F) to bloom the coffee, letting it sit for 30 seconds.
    5. Continue pouring in slow, concentric circles until you reach a total of 320 ml of water.
    6. Aim for a total brew time of 2:30-3:00 minutes.
    7. Enjoy

    Aeropress

    Recipe:

    • Beans: 17 grams
    • Grind Size: Medium
    • Water Temperature: 80°C (175°F)
    • Water Amount: 240ml
    • Brew Time: 2 minutes (inverted method)

    Instructions:

    1. Assemble your Aeropress in the inverted position.
    2. Grind 17 grams of your house blend to a medium consistency.
    3. Add the grounds to the Aeropress.
    4. Pour 240 ml of water at 80°C (175°F) over the grounds.
    5. Stir gently for 10 seconds.
    6. Attach the filter cap and let it steep for 1:30 minutes.
    7. Carefully flip the Aeropress over your cup and press gently for 30 seconds.
    8. Enjoy

    Cold Brew

    Recipe:

    • Beans: 100 grams
    • Grind Size: Coarse
    • Water Temperature: Room temperature
    • Water Amount: 1 litre
    • Brew Time: 12-24 hours

    Instructions:

    1. Grind 100 grams of your house blend to a coarse consistency. A coarser grind helps prevent over-extraction during the long brewing time.
    2. Place the ground coffee into a large jar or a cold brew coffee maker.
    3. Pour 1 litre of room temperature water over the coffee grounds, ensuring all the grounds are saturated.
    4. Stir the mixture gently to ensure even saturation of the coffee grounds.
    5. Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap to protect it from external odours and debris.
    6. Let the mixture steep at room temperature or in the fridge for 12-24 hours. The longer the steep time, the stronger the brew.
    7. After brewing, filter the coffee using a fine-mesh sieve, coffee filter, or a cold brew coffee maker filter to remove the grounds.
    8. Dilute the cold brew concentrate with water or milk to your preferred strength, typically a 1:1 ratio. Serve over ice and enjoy your smooth, refreshing cold brew.

    Our Green Values

    • Packaging

      Each bag is lovingly wrapped in 100% recyclable packaging, using FSC Certified cardboard boxes.

    • Delivery

      Carbon-neutral shipping with each order funding revolutionary carbon removal projects designed to future-proof the planet.

    • Buy 1, Plant 2

      Because we're committed to the future of the planet, we plant a tree with every order to aid global reforestation.

    FAQs

    Should I let my coffee rest?

    The optimal resting time for freshly roasted specialty coffee can vary depending on the brewing method. Here's a breakdown for filter and espresso:

    Filter Coffee

    • Light Roasts: 10-14 days
    • Medium Roasts: 5-10 days
    • Dark Roasts: 1-5 days

    For filter coffee, which includes methods like drip, pour-over, and French press, the flavors tend to be more delicate and nuanced. Allowing a bit more time for resting helps these subtleties to develop fully.

    Espresso

    • Light Roasts: 14-21 days
    • Medium Roasts: 7-10 days
    • Dark Roasts: 1-5 days

    Espresso brewing, due to its high pressure and short extraction time, can be more sensitive to CO2 levels. A longer rest period ensures the CO2 has adequately degassed, leading to a more stable crema and balanced shot.

    Summary

    • Filter Coffee: Generally requires a shorter rest period, focusing on bringing out the lighter, more nuanced flavours.
    • Espresso: Benefits from a longer rest period to ensure proper degassing and to enhance crema and balance.

    Remember, these are guidelines and personal taste preferences play a significant role. Experiment within these ranges to find the perfect rest time for your coffee.
    What's the best way to store my coffee?
    • Sealed and Ambient: Always keep your coffee sealed in an airtight container and store it in an ambient environment to preserve its freshness.
    • Avoid Refrigeration: While lower temperatures can help prolong the life of coffee, do not store your coffee in the fridge. The moisture in the refrigerator accelerates the oxidation process, which diminishes the coffee's flavour.
    How long does my coffee stay fresh for?

    Freshly roasted specialty coffee retains its peak flavor and aroma for a limited time after roasting. When you receive your coffee, check the roasting date printed on the bag - it's your freshness indicator. To savour Wilby's at its best, consider these handy guidelines:

    Whole Bean Coffee:

    • Optimal Freshness: Whole bean coffee is generally at its freshest within the first 2 to 4 weeks after roasting.
    • Use By: It is recommended to consume whole bean coffee within 2 to 3 months of the roast date for the best flavour.

    Ground Coffee:

    • Optimal Freshness: Ground coffee starts to lose freshness more quickly due to increased surface area exposure to air.
    • Use By: Ground coffee is best consumed within 1 to 2 weeks of the roast date to enjoy the fullest flavour profile.

    Storage Considerations:

    • Airtight Container: Store coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from light and moisture.
    • Avoid Refrigeration: While refrigeration might seem like a good idea, it can introduce moisture and lead to condensation on the beans, which accelerates staling.
    What is a quality score?

    A coffee cupping quality score is a standardised method to evaluate the attributes of a coffee sample. During a cupping session, various aspects such as aroma, flavour, acidity, body, and aftertaste are assessed and scored on a scale, typically from 0 to 100. This score helps determine the overall quality of the coffee, with higher scores indicating superior quality. Cupping scores are essential for identifying the best beans, guiding purchasing decisions, and providing valuable feedback to coffee producers.
    Do you add flavours to my coffee?

    You'll notice that each of our coffees boasts its own unique tasting notes, and here's the best part - there are absolutely no added flavours or additives in our coffee. It's pure 100% Arabica beans.

    When we talk about flavours, we're describing the delightful tastes we discern during our cupping sessions. These can range from hints of chocolate and orange to even notes reminiscent of sherbet! These flavours arise naturally from how the coffee is grown and processed.
    Where do you source your green coffee beans?

    We work with Green Coffee Collective who specialise in working with trusted partners who deliver quality.

    Guides

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