Journal — August 2021

Hey friends! I hope this parcel finds you well. Each month, as I pack all our orders, I try to take a moment and express my thankfulness for each of you. August marks the beginning of Yonder’s fourth year of monthly deliveries, and I still kinda can’t believe it. I really am so thankful that month after month you continue to give us the privilege of showing you the world of coffee, and the amazing people who have helped shape it.

This month we are working Obadiah Coffee Roasters from Edinburgh, Scotland. Sam and Alice Young started the company in 2017, aiming to share clean and honest coffees with their community. Alice is local, but Sam grew up in Perth, Australia and got his start in coffee at 5 Senses, a fantastic roaster that Yonder featured a few summers back.

I asked Obadiah to describe their approach to sourcing and roasting coffees. “Roasting our coffees delicately is important for us to ensure we are not encouraging any unnatural alterations to the flavour profile of each coffee. We have one profile per coffee, designed to accurately represent all of the variables the coffee farmers have worked with in the growing process—the altitude of the farm, soil type, tree variety and process method. Because of this, we’re also stripping away any inconsistencies that brew method orientated roast profiles could inhibit. With this approach to roasting, we are able to maintain a higher level of purity and consistency. We want to contribute positively by engaging sustainably and pushing the boundaries of the ever growing coffee culture in the UK, as well as those beyond.”

Celebrating the farmer’s work in that way translates to some really beautiful coffees. Ayarza is such a delicate, vibrant coffee, packed with sweet, stonefruit flavors I don’t expect to find in Guatemalan beans. The Biftu Gudina co-op and Israel Degfa (who produced Ana Sora) consistently grow my favorite coffees in Ethiopia, and getting to feature them both together is a treat. Rounding out this month’s feature is Laguna, a delightful easy-drinker that’s bursting with complex grape and cherry flavors. Please reach out with any questions, or for help dialing in your coffees. Slàinte Mhath!