The Golden Lamp

The Golden Lamp is what we get when we wish for an easy drinking, everyday kind of coffee that doesn't compromise.

In our work, specialty coffee doesn't have to be the finest microlot to matter. In fact, the bulk of the smallholders we work with produce coffees that are discarded for not being 'good enough' to distinguish themselves in the specialty market, particularly in Guatemala, where this coffee is primarily sourced. We believe just the opposite - the naturally lower acidity and richer chocolate character of these coffees makes them perfectly suited to provide that classic cup of coffee so many of us love without the sharp, sour, or bitter experience that are often associated with specialty coffee. In order to add a hint of complexity, we add a touch of Colombia coffee to create this eminently drinkable cup.

The smallholders who make up this blend - Raul Gonzalez of Cafe Colis Resistencia & Daniel Muñoz of Monkaaba - are smallholders whose whole life revolves around coffee. Their families rely on it to survive and they have taken great risk in order to achieve access to a sustainable, fair market for their coffees. Both have unique stories but they both share a work ethic and vision for their future that pushes them forward and has brought them far, quickly. Raul only began processing his Pache for export two years ago and quickly mastered the process, while Daniel has been relentless in his pursuit for quality for the last 15 years.

Regardless of which point these two find themselves at in their journey, they both live the shared risk of not finding a solid price for their whole harvest. That's why the backbone of our work while importing is to source the entire production from each grower with whom we work. Rather than focusing only on the cream of the crop, we find homes for great coffees that are often under-appreciated, and pay the prices they deserve.

The result is a cup like this one, which we experience as immensely sweet, with a refreshing, subtle acidity, like green apples covered in brown sugar.