Hawaii Miranda Farms Red Catuai Water Pillow Process

Hawaii is one of the more misunderstood origins in the specialty coffee world. On the one hand, it's got a long-running reputation for high-end brews, most notably from Kona. On the other, many Hawaiian bags tend to be as over-roasted as they are underwhelming. This coffee breaks the mold and proves that a good Hawaiian brew earns every ounce of the islands' sterling reputation.

Miranda Farms sits in Ka'u, an up-and-coming growing region just south of Kona. Over the past few years, it's made quite a splash, taking first place in Hawaii's statewide cupping competition multiple times. With trees ranging from Yellow Caturra to Typica to Geisha and Red Catuai, the place is a coffee lover's paradise, and the Miranda family is constantly experimenting with new processing methods. For this lot, they took a batch of pure Red Catuai and put it through an unusual Anoxic Water Pillow Method.

The Water Pillow Process involves placing a plastic sheet over coffee cherries as they ferment, creating a barrier between the cherries and a “pillow” of water overhead. The water has a cooling effect on the fruit, minimizing oxygen and reducing unwanted flavors. The method is like a transparent flavor enhancer, amping up the elements that are already there without adding funk or effect.

In the cup, this guy brings boatloads of piquant yellow fruit tones. Think Golden Kiwi, Yellow Apple, and Pineapple. Far from competing for dominance, the fruits form a medley with ample sweetness and lovely acidity. Hibiscus comes next, blooming on the cool. The floral quality acts as a stellar pairing with the fruit and lends complexity to the cup. Rounding out the profile is a hint of shortbread, which expresses in both flavor and mouthfeel alike. On the whole, it's a stunner of a cup—bright, sweet, and endlessly drinkable. If you've been looking for a cup that reps the islands in style, you'll want to try this one.  

• Region - Ka'u, Hawaii
• Farm - Miranda Farms
• Varietal - Red Cataui
• Process - Anoxic Water Pillow Method

• Pour Over
• French Press
• Aeropress
• Drip Machine