BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Coffee Craft: Planting the Seeds

Coffee seeds are planted in large beds in shaded nurseries.

After sprouting, seedlings are removed from the beds to be planted in individual pots in carefully formulated soils. They will be watered frequently and shaded from bright sunlight until they are hearty enough to be permanently planted.

Planting often takes place during the wet season, so that the soil around the young sprouting plants remains moist while the roots become firmly established.

Gradually, the saplings become young trees.

FGCO12119

St Helena Tipped Bourbon Coffee Beans 250g

Net Weight: 250g

Upon being exiled to St Helena in 1815, Emperor Napoleon's dying wish was to have a sip of the renowned coffee. Our St Helena Tipped Bourbon coffee beans are exquisitely rich-bodied and earthy cup.

The East India Company - Lifestyle

Coffee

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£170.00
Coffee was first introduced in 1732 to St Helena, a tiny volcanic rocky outcrop in the South Atlantic, slightly nearer to Africa than South America.

It was a Bourbon coffee variety brought by officers of The East India Company from the famous Mocha in Yemen and planted across ‘their’ island.

St Helena became probably most well-known for it being the place of Napolean’s exile and death. He was a great fan of St Helena Coffee and is said by an aide to have pleaded for a last spoonful of coffee as he lay dying in 1821.
Jumping to today, St Helena has a tiny coffee output, but it is unique. The crop remains the original single type of Arabica bean, the Green Tipped Bourbon Arabica.

Being one of the remotest places on earth, the environment is pure and guano or sea bird droppings, are the preferred organic fertilizer applied sparingly around the base of the trees as the start of the wet season.

St Helena coffee is grown at mid altitutude [c. 700 metres], is wet processed using the pure spring water descending from the island's mountain peaks. Sun drying is very slow.
Complex and superbly elegant, bright and balanced, it has clean, bright and beautifully balanced notes of citrus, honey, caramel, berry and stone-fruits.
Another volcanic, tropical island coffee that combines beautifully well with chocolate.

Why do they work so well together? Well they have much in common - they are both seeds of tropical fruits and they're both prepared similarly - picked, fermented, dried and then roasted.

St Helena coffee is so rare, it should be savoured and not overpowered by another food. A light milk chocolate fudge is sound understudy to this exceptional coffee.
The following guidance assumes the use of a cafetiere – we can provide other grinds if you prefer.

Freshly ground St Helena coffee to a course grind.

Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 220ml [an average mug or large cup size].

Filtered water is best, poured on the coffee just under the boiling point.

Brew for 3 to 5 minutes.
If you would like you coffee beans to be freshly ground by our team, please add your requirement at the checkout.

Grind level options are:

1: Extra Fine - for Turkish
3: Fine - for Espresso Machine
5: Medium - for Drip
7: Medium-Course - for Home Coffee Maker
9: Course - for Cafetiere
Origin: St Helena

Bean: 100% Green Tipped Bourbon Arabica

Body: 3/5

Acidity: 3/5

Roast: Full City Dark Roast
We are happy to grind your beans for you of course - your ground coffee will remain at its best for a few weeks once opened. If you plan to use over an extended period, we recommend buying whole beans and to then grind only the exact amount required for each drinking occasion. Using a 'burr' grinder avoids heating up the beans as regular blade grinders do.

Store your beans or your ground coffee in an airtight container, in a cool [not refrigerated], dark place, away from other flavours. This will best preserve your coffee’s freshness and flavours.

Stories

The Story of the French Press

A little like the tea bag, what came to be known as the French Press was probably invented by accident.

Legend has it that an unnamed Frenchmen was preparing a pot of coffee on an open fire in the 1850s, when he realised he forgotten to add the coffee first. Adding it later meant the coffee grounds sat on the surface and wouldn’t brew properly. So, with a metal stick, he pushed a small piece of metal screen to the bottom, carrying with it the coffee grounds. Expecting the worst, the coffee was the best he had ever had. A new way of brewing coffee was invented.
Maybe that’s what happened.

What is true is the first patent issued for a coffee making device that closely resembles the modern French Press was by Attilio Callimani in 1929, an Italian from Milan, by which time Italian’s referred to it as a Cafetiere.

Nowadays, cafetieres are generally made with Borosilicate glass, which is very strong, together with stainless steel. It’s a cost effective and easy way of making an outstanding cup of coffee.

Our spirit delivers no ordinary products

  • FAQ

    Question: What is the difference between Robusta beans and Arabica beans?
    Answer: Robusta and Arabica are simply the 2 main species of the coffee plant. Arabica is thought to be indigenous to Arabia and grows best at higher altitudes with shade and rainfall required, thus tending to be a little more expensive than the easier to grow Robusta. Arabica now accounts for the majority of coffee consumed, because the flavour is smooth and has a natural sweetness, with chocolate and berry undertones, whereas robusta can be quite bitter with a slightly burnt after taste - but is higher in caffeine and produces a better crema in an espresso.

    Question: What sort of grind should I buy – I know there are different grades. Or should I buy beans?
    Answer: If you are an occasional coffee drinker then you probably don’t have a coffee bean grinder, in which case, the grind to buy depends on how you intend to brew your coffee. A French Press or Cafetiere requires a course grind and a longer brew, whilst making in the Turkish style means extra fine is required for this distinctive very strong brew. Do make sure you keep your ground coffee in a cool, dark place, well wrapped up. A coffee grinder can be good investment that allows you to buy beans which stay fresher for longer.

  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £3.95
    UK Next Day Delivery (mainland UK only): £9.95 (Order before 12pm)
    International Delivery is available, please see our delivery page for details. For more information and Terms & Conditions, please see our Delivery page.

  • Reviews

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