Picture this: the sun kissing the shores of Hawai‘i, the scent of freshly bloomed coffee cherries in the air, and the anticipation of big surf season. Inspired by the vibrant energy of this unique convergence, we've crafted a coffee blend that captures the essence of the start of the coffee cherry harvest and the thrilling waves that grace Hawai‘i's shores.
Named aptly after this harmonious marriage of nature's wonders, Cherry Wave is more than just a coffee blend; it's a celebration of the seasons and a toast to the bountiful harvest from our own farm in the renowned Kona region. Join us on this flavorful ride as we invite you to experience the perfect blend of tradition, nature, and surf in every sip of Cherry Wave.
Coffee Origins and Flavor Notes
Processing green coffee is crucial in developing certain flavor notes and preparing for the next steps of milling and roasting. Utilizing natural, or dry processing, allows the wild yeast in the air to consume the fruit pectin within the sweet mucilage of the coffee cherry through natural fermentation. This process imparts a depth of a sweetness with wine-like acidity and fruity notes. In Cherry Wave, we taste chocolate covered cherries, cascara tea, mixed berries, jasmine, and sweet red wine.
Recommendations from our Roaster
We asked our Head Roaster, Tim Gugudan, what his favorite pairings were with the new Cherry Wave. Tim suggests elevating your morning coffee ritual by pairing the coffee with our freshly baked blueberry corn muffin, one of our newest pastries in our tropical spring menu.
If you're not in the islands, feel free to grab your favorite sweet and tart breakfast items to bring out the same nuanced flavors from the blend. For a more decadent treat, pairing this coffee with a bar of dark chocolate allows the rich and intense cocoa notes to come out in both.
When it comes to brewing, enjoy Cherry Wave as a simple origin espresso to fully appreciate its intricate layers, or venture into the refreshing territory of an Iced Kalita to bring out the blend's vibrant flavors in a cool and invigorating way.
Pulling a Cherry Wave Espresso
Cherry Wave as espresso, while a blend, performs a lot like a single origin. For you coffee connoisseurs, here is our head roaster's favorite way to pull a Cherry Wave espresso shot. At home, Tim uses a Turin DF64 grinder with Cherry Wave and suggests to either:
1) Input 19 grams of fine ground coffee with an output weight of 42 grams of brewed espresso. Utilize 10 seconds/15 grams of *pre-infusion with a total extraction time of 44 seconds.
OR
2) Input 20 grams of slightly course ground coffee with an output weight of 44 grams of brewed espresso. Utilize a total extraction time of 26 seconds, with no *pre-infusion needed.
Overall, Cherry Wave's high water-to-coffee ratio helped to balance the natural acidity and create a sweet, smooth, and heavier-bodied, coffee experience.
*Pre-infusion significantly impacts the coffee's flavor and overall quality. It refers to the process of gently soaking the puck of ground coffee in your portafilter before applying the full desired brewing pressure. The goal is to ensure that water evenly penetrates the grounds to ensure that the entire bed has the same amount of water flowing through it once extraction begins.
A Canvas of Aesthetics by Chris Beringer
The captivating design adorning the Cherry Wave coffee bag is a visual testament to the artistic prowess, Chris Beringer. A Honolulu-based graphic designer and photographer, Chris finds inspiration in the ocean and constantly hones his craft to bring a touch of his creative flair in everything he does. We were not only excited to bring a new limited-time coffee to you, but also to collaborate with a local artist that connected with our brand, vision, and identity.
We loved seeing Cherry Wave's final bag design unfold. First, the color palette is reminiscent of the land and sea—with hues of tan and cream like sand and shades of blue like the ocean. The chosen fonts and hints of gold provide a wavy, elegant feel. Lastly, the side panels "Grown with Aloha" and "Brewed with Aloha" reminds our customers of our vision to be recognized as a premier Farm to Cup company, focused on the ultimate Hawaiian coffee experience, while embracing the Spirit of Aloha.
With 14 years of experience, Chris has contributed to diverse collaborative projects, showcasing his versatility in full rebranding, product design, photo shoots, ad design, and even independent film collaborations. Notable clients include 7-Eleven, Four Seasons, Princeville Ranch, and Down to Earth. If you'd like to support Chris, visit his online portfolio at chrisberinger.com!
Greet the Day, Catch the Cherry Wave
Cherry Wave will only be here while supplies last! Purchase online or in our cafes today.
