Hacienda La Esmeralda El Velo Natural Gesha is a natural processed coffee from Panama's El Velo region at 1,750 meters altitude. The coffee is a mix of high-performing Geisha microlots selected and dried at Hacienda La Esmeralda's mill in Palmira by farmer Daniel and Rachel Peterson. The coffee displays heavy red fruits including raspberry sourness, strawberry sweetness, and cherry brightness with tart-like qualities that elongate the cup. Florals and spices are also present in the profile.
Brian Zhou runs Thoughtful Coffee as a one person nanoroaster operation in Brooklyn, New York. A software engineer by profession, Zhou financed an Aillio Bullet home roaster and built the business around three core values: transparency in pricing and process, humane relationships over profit maximization, and strict quality control. The focus is on small batch light roasts with floral, fruity, and complex profiles, sourcing unusual and distinctively processed coffees at accessible prices. Zhou documents his roasting process and collects customer feedback openly through a Substack publication, making the entire operation as legible as possible.
