Heza

Tasting Notes: Ume Syrup, Thai Green Mango, Magnolia

Description: Heza has produced some of our favorite coffees coming out of Burundi and honey processed coffee is not typically found there. So when we saw the distributor (Royal Coffee) release this, we instantly bought it knowing it would be great. We didn’t have our new roaster set up yet however, so we’ve been anxiously awaiting the chance to roast it. Now that we’re up and running on the new roaster, it doesn’t disappoint at all. This is one of the best Burundi coffees we’ve tried!

The Heza washing station is located in the Butanyerera province of Burundi. It’s operated by Long Miles Coffee who manage and export some of the best Burundi has to offer. This coffee was produced in a unique way compared to their normal microlots. They sorted the small peaberry beans from the best microlots over the harvest season and blended them together to make a regional blend. This represents a larger geographical region than Long Miles Coffee’s normal lots yet has much higher quality than typical for a regional blend due to the high level of sorting.

Impressions: In the Aroma we immediately get a big burst of syrupy and tart stone fruit notes. There is a unique combination of green/underripe tartness and heavy syrupy candied flavors simultaneously. This unique combo brings to mind ume syrup and Thai green mangos. Behind the stone fruit aroma there are fresh florals like magnolia and honeysuckle. The taste opens up with the green and candied tartness before transitioning into syrupy ripe stone fruit, oolong tea, and finishing with fresh florals.