Philippine Finca De Garces Ethiopian Landrace Hydro Natural

The boldest fruit expression in the Partner Farm Line.

Hydro-natural processing combines two techniques into one method. Cherries enter a flotation tank first, where water sorts them by density and only the heaviest, ripest fruit moves forward. Then those selected cherries are dried whole, mucilage and skin still intact, the way a traditional natural is built. The result is a cleaner natural than dry processing alone allows, with the fruit expression still fully on display.

The Farm

Finca de Garces sits at 1,400 meters in the highlands of Bukidnon - a multi-generational family farm stewarded by the Garces family. Volcanic soils and cool mountain air slow cherry maturation at this elevation, concentrating sugars and building the complex sweetness that is making Bukidnon one of the Philippines' most promising coffee regions.

Hydro-natural processing combines water flotation with traditional natural drying. Cherries are first sorted by density in water - only the heaviest, ripest fruit moves forward - then dried whole, mucilage and skin intact. The result is a cleaner natural than traditional dry processing allows, with fruit expression still fully on display.

At Finca de Garces, this technique amplifies the Ethiopian Landrace's natural complexity. Berry and guava from the whole-cherry drying. Caramel from the slow sugar concentration. Green grape and lime from the varietal's clean acidity. This is the farm's boldest fruit expression = a natural that still drinks with clarity.

The Cup

At Finca de Garces, this technique is applied to Ethiopian Landrace, the heirloom varietal the farm has built its reputation on. Ethiopian genetics carry naturally complex aromatics. Whole-cherry drying amplifies them. The hydro sort makes sure only the cleanest cherries make the cut. What you get is a natural with structure.

Berry and guava up front, the loud fruit you expect from a natural. Caramel sweetness in the middle, built by slow sugar concentration through whole-cherry drying. Green grape and lime acidity through the finish, drawn from the varietal's clean structure. Bold, layered, surprisingly clean for a coffee with this much fruit.

Tasting Notes

• Simple: Berry, caramel, tropical fruit, lime
• Descriptive: Berry and guava sweetness rounded by caramel, lifted by green grape and lime acidity through a long finish
• Technical: Concentrated whole-cherry sugars with elevated esters from extended natural drying, balanced by the varietal's native citric and malic acid structure