Variety: Heirloom, Ethiopian Landrace Heritage
https://varieties.worldcoffeeresearch.org/varieties/java
SEEDS or SEEDLINGS
Seeds are all hand selected by Lisa from cherry harvested during peak harvest weeks. Cherry is pulped and fermented briefly to allow for full wash of parchment. The parchment is dried to 15-18 % mc. All seed or seedling purchases come with a Back Bay Estate Variety Certificate of Authenticity. Use links below for more information and to purchase directly from the website shop.
Seedlings are sold as bare root plants
History of Back Bay Estate Abyssinia AB3
On a trip to Gayo in 2012, I was fortunate to find a crop of Abyssinia owned by third generation farmer who was willing to part with seedlings that had volunteered under the mature trees. The seedlings made it back to Simalungun in my backpack and survived for our first crop of 55 trees. The timing of the 2012 visit was not during harvest season, so there were only green cherry. He invited me to return for cherry in the future. So in 2013 I did. The cherries were propagated into seed and created an additional 100 trees. Thanks to his generosity, Back Bay Estate has a healthy crop of AB3 and I am forever grateful. This is a special crop for me and I enjoy every moment spent developing and maintaining the trees and the garden. I have since increased the crop by taking cuttings from two mother trees for cloning and propagating into trees each year.
A pure heirloom variety, Abyssinia is slow growing and produces a single annual harvest of exceptional quality coffee fruit. The large bean size and elongated shape are the trademarks of this variety.
Buy the Beans: Want to try green or roasted beans first? Go to the Shop
How do we protect the environment?
BIODYNAMIC: All Farm waste and Processing waste are turned into compost for crops. All Crops are shade grown with nitrogen fixing trees. All plots are planted with nitrogen fixing ground covers and flowering plants to support insect wildlife and natural pollination. All plots are planted with multiple fruit and berry trees around the perimeters to provide food and shelter for hundreds of birds and attract predatory birds. Rain water is cycled through for multiple farm and processing operations. Reforestation and agroforestry of Siamang Forest to supply additional food and income for people and feed multiple wildlife species within the farm and forest.
ORGANIC: No herbicides; No Pesticides; No chemical Inputs; No Inoculants or additives during processing.
SUSTAINABLE: Renewable resources are used for buildings. Renewable energy is used for home and office. Minimal energy footprint for generators which are only on for processing operations. Locally sourced raw materials reduce transportation costs. Shipping internationally as part of a consolidated container whenever possible to reduce energy use.
Lisa Matthews, Founder and Director BBE and SFP Content Creator