$99.90Original price was: $99.90.$98.80Current price is: $98.80.
Originating from the Prime Coffee Region
Lujiang Muhe Coffee hails from the renowned Lujiang Dam in Baoshan, Yunnan. Situated on the eastern foot of the Gaoligong Mountains within the Nu River dry – hot valley, it lies precisely on the world – famous “coffee golden latitude belt.” The area’s unique geographical location, with an altitude ranging from 800 to 1,800 meters, provides an ideal environment for coffee cultivation.
The subtropical monsoon climate endows Lujiang Dam with an annual rainfall of 1,200 – 1,800 mm, while the significant temperature difference between day and night, reaching up to 15°C, slows down the coffee cherries’ ripening process. This results in the development of complex flavors and a higher sugar content in the beans. The rich volcanic – ash soil, abundant in essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, not only provides a fertile growing medium but also imparts unique flavors to the coffee.
Distinctive Flavor Profile
Lujiang Muhe Coffee, which often belongs to the category of light roasts, showcases a bright and lively flavor. The moment you take a sip, the pronounced acidity immediately awakens your palate, much like a refreshing breeze on a sunny morning. This is quickly followed by vivid fruit notes. Depending on the specific variety and origin within Lujiang Dam, you might taste the zesty citrus flavors of lemon, lime, or orange, the sweet and tangy berries such as strawberry and raspberry, or even the delicate stone fruits like peach and apricot.
A subtle sweetness, similar to that of honey or light caramel, balances out the acidity, creating a harmonious blend. Delicate floral or herbal undertones, such as jasmine, green apple, or fresh grass, add additional layers of complexity to the coffee’s flavor. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering brightness that makes you eager for the next sip. When brewed, the coffee liquor shimmers with a pale golden to light amber hue, and its body, though lighter compared to darker roasts, is filled with intense aromatic notes.
Diverse Bean Varieties
Ethiopian Heirloom – like Traits: Some of the coffee varieties in Lujiang Muhe Coffee might exhibit characteristics similar to Ethiopian Heirlooms. These beans, when light – roasted, can reveal beautiful floral aromas, with jasmine – like scents wafting from the cup. The berry – forward flavors, including blueberry and other wild berries, add a sweet and tangy dimension to the coffee, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a more complex and fragrant cup.
Local Adaptations of Colombian – style Beans: Beans with qualities reminiscent of Colombian Supremo are also part of the Lujiang Muhe Coffee portfolio. They offer a balanced acidity and a lovely caramel sweetness. In the cup, you can detect hints of red apple, which blend well with the nutty undertones, providing a classic and well – rounded coffee experience.
Unique “Yunka” – inspired Blends: Drawing inspiration from the Yunnan Agricultural Academy’s “Yunka” varieties, Lujiang Muhe Coffee may include blends that emphasize the tropical fruit and citrus notes. For example, flavors of mango and passion fruit, similar to those in “Yunka 2”, or the bright citrus notes like in “Yunka 3”, can be prominent in these blends, offering a taste of the local terroir’s unique expression.
Meticulous Roasting Process
Lujiang Muhe Coffee is typically light – roasted, a process that requires great precision. The roasting time is short, and the peak temperature usually reaches between 180 – 205°C (356 – 401°F), just past the “first crack.” This is the moment when the coffee beans release moisture and gases as they expand, creating a popping sound.
Roasters closely monitor the process to stop the heating before the oils migrate to the surface of the beans. As a result, the beans have a dry, light – brown exterior with no visible oil. This minimal heat exposure helps preserve the original flavor compounds in the beans, such as citric and malic acids, which are responsible for the coffee’s bright and acidic character. After roasting, the beans are rapidly cooled to lock in these delicate flavors, ensuring that the coffee retains its vibrant profile.
Precise Brewing Recommendations
Pour – over: Considered the gold standard for brewing Lujiang Muhe Coffee, pour – over involves a slow and controlled pour of hot water, heated to 88 – 92°C (190 – 198°F), over a medium – fine grind of the coffee. This extended contact time between the water and the coffee grounds allows for a full extraction of the fruity and floral notes, without over – extracting the acidity. The result is a cup that showcases the coffee’s complexity and brightness.
Aeropress: The Aeropress is also an excellent choice. With its adjustable brewing time, usually set between 1 – 2 minutes, it can highlight the coffee’s brightness while providing a smooth and clean finish. A slightly coarser grind than that used for pour – over works best with the Aeropress, ensuring a balanced extraction.
Cold Brew: Although less common, cold brewing Lujiang Muhe Coffee can produce an exceptional cup with a bright and fruity twist. The 12 – 24 – hour steeping process in cold water softens the acidity, while emphasizing the natural sweetness and the more subtle flavor layers of the coffee.
Espresso with Caution: For the more delicate varieties in Lujiang Muhe Coffee, espresso brewing may not be the ideal choice as they often lack the body to stand up to espresso’s short extraction time. However, some bolder light – roasted beans within this range can yield a vibrant, fruit – forward espresso shot, adding a unique dimension to the espresso experience.
Storage and Freshness Preservation
Due to its high concentration of volatile aromatic compounds, Lujiang Muhe Coffee, especially in its light – roasted form, is more sensitive to staling compared to darker roasts. To maintain its peak flavor, it should be stored in air – tight, opaque containers and kept away from heat, light, and moisture. Under these ideal storage conditions, the coffee can retain its excellent flavor for 2 – 4 weeks after roasting. It is crucial to grind the beans just before brewing, as grinding increases the surface area of the coffee, accelerating oxidation and causing the coffee to lose its brightness and flavor more quickly.
In summary, Lujiang Muhe Coffee offers a unique coffee – drinking experience, combining the best of the local terroir in Lujiang Dam with careful roasting and brewing techniques. Each cup is a celebration of the origin and variety of the coffee beans, allowing you to taste the story of the region in every sip.
