info on Cuba Turquino

[Vinitasse]

Hi there... I have been happily roasting away and achieving great results with some Cuba Turquino fron Beanbay and I realized I know very little about it. I have read that the original coffee tree came from Yemen and that French coffee growers from Haiti expanded Cubas existing coffee plantations upon their arrival. So... what cultivar(s) are there in the Turquino? And speaking of Turquino, is the coffee actually grown on its slopes and, if so, at what Altitude? Being from Castros Cuba is it safe to assume that tnis is a co-op coffee from multiple growers and lots or is itinfact from a single Estate? Lastly, is the Turquino on Beanbay the Lavado (washed) or themore traditional dry Processed?

Any answers at all would be greatly appreciated. I like to know what Im roasting.

[flynnaus]

Re: info on Cuba Turquino

You might want to read Antony Wilds book "Black Gold" who has a different slant on the spread of coffee throughout the West Indies. He claims that the Spanish brought coffee to Cuba in 1748.

Wild refers to Frenchman Gabriel de Clieu whom the coffee industry credits with the spread of coffee throughout the West Indies starting in Martinique in 1723. Wild claims that de Clieus story is not true as the Dutch already had introduced coffee in Surinam in 1718 and the French in Hispaniola in 1715.

Yemen is regarded as the origin of coffee arabica plants grown throughout the world as but Yemens coffee is thought to have originally come from the Harar district of Ethiopia.

This German site has some info about growing conditions for what its worth.

I cracked a bag of this yesterday, 9 days after roasting. My first mouthful was cigars, not really that nice on first impression but there was a lingering aftertaste of spice and other flavours I couldnt properly define as it was made in a latte. I will try it as an espresso tomorrow.as 9 days is till too short a rest period for my preferences of most coffee I roast.

[Vinitasse]

Re: info on Cuba Turquino

Thanks Flynn... its nice to hear from someone who knows something. I emailed Andy but so far have not heard back from him... too busy doing coffee snobbery type things.

Does anyone else have a bit more to offer on this incredible bean? Apparently whispered in the same breath as Hawaiian Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain so someone must know something about it.

Dont be shy.

[Dennis]

Re: info on Cuba Turquino

Apparently whispered in the same breath as Hawaiian Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain

Im sure the Turquino is a nice offering, though neither Andys or Steves descriptions have anything in common with Kona or JBM.

Is that what the whisper is?

My first mouthful was cigars

I dont doubt you Steve, but youve got to admit, thats funny! ;D

[TC]

Re: info on Cuba Turquino

My first mouthful was cigars

wow...you dont muck around Flynn. I think mine was more likely breast milk ;D

[flynnaus]

Re: info on Cuba Turquino

I dont doubt you Steve, but youve got to admit, thats funny!Grin

;D

Yes, now I read it but I was struggling for the right words and tobacco seemed to understate it :-[.

Day 11 seems to have smoothed the flavours and the coffee now reminds me on one or two Colombian beans Ive tried.

neither Andys or Steves descriptions have anything in common with Kona or JBM.

I think coffee wino is referring to acclaim of Turquino rather than sharing common characteristics. I havent tried Kona but JBM and Turquino dont top my list of best coffees Ive tried (though that syphon you made me of the Mavis Banks was up there with memorable tasting experiences.

I think mine was more likely breast milk

We were bred tough where I came from. My mother wore army boots and knitted socks with crow bars