El Velo

Description

thoughtful x grindthatcoffee

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Origin: Panama
Region: El Velo
Farm: Hacienda La Esmeralda
Farmer: Daniel and Rachel Peterson
Varietal: Gesha
Processing: Natural
Elevation: 1750 masl
Profile: raspberry, strawberry, cherry
Price per lb (shipping + greens): $46.10

This is a collaboration release between us and @grindthatcoffee (Damian and Hanna).

I've known Damian and Hanna from @grindthatcoffee since 2022, when we were both just starting our brands. They've been there from the beginning—coming to our popups, sharing our coffees, and genuinely supporting what we're building.

We kicked off this collaboration late last year and spent most of 2025 deciding on samples. We landed on Hacienda La Esmeralda's El Velo natural gesha—which feels a bit full circle for me.

My first specialty coffee was from Hacienda La Esmeralda (2021). Releasing a coffee from my first specialty farm with one of my first coffee friends just feels right.

About the coffee:

Private Collection El Velo Natural is a mix of high performing Geisha natural microlots from Hacienda La Esmeralda’s El Velo Farm. Each microlot was dried at Hacienda La Esmeralda’s mill in Palmira. The microlots that make up this mix were selected by Daniel and Rachel Peterson after many days of cupping. Private Collection El Velo Natural displays a mix of florals, fruitiness and spices.

Roaster's notes:

It's good. We are still dialing this one in. On the sampling table, we got heavy red fruits ranging from raspberry sourness, strawberry sweetness, to cherry brightness. Then on the finish, we got tart-like qualities that help elongate the cup.

Brewing Notes:

V60.

Water temp:

93C+

Brew recipe:

0. 18g grounds
1. 60mL bloom (for 40 seconds)
2. 60mL second bloom (for 40 seconds) -- use small spoon to stir as brew sits
3. 180mL pour (to 300mL) -- apply light swirls if grounds are sticking to brewer sides

You should be at around 3-4 minutes drawdown. If you are hitting it quicker, try going finer.

Rest notes: 3 weeks+

Additional Notes:

Learn more about how we price our coffee here.

Text from thoughtful coffee nyc's listing.