Microlot — what does the term mean?
This term entered the coffee industry some time ago. It is being used increasingly often, yet it still sounds unfamiliar to most people. What is a microlot? Or perhaps the better question is: what are microlot coffees?
Microlot — try to imagine...
The idea of a microlot is often explained through an analogy. Imagine an orchard filled with apple trees. Most bear tasty, juicy fruit, but certain trees — perhaps at the edge of the plot — produce apples with an exceptional flavour, noticeably better than the rest. Those apples could be compared to microlots.
Microlot — coffee beans that...
In simple terms, microlots are coffee beans whose outstanding characteristics set them apart from the rest of a farm's crop. They come from coffee plants growing in a “privileged” location. Such places tend to offer favourable environmental conditions: fertile, mineral-rich soil, the right amount of shade or sun, and beneficial neighbouring plants.
Microlots — the work of nature, but also...
It would not be entirely accurate to attribute microlots solely to nature and favourable conditions. Growers play a major role too! They work especially hard to help the cherries ripen in the best possible conditions and achieve exceptional quality after harvesting, processing and drying. Farm owners and workers constantly monitor these plants, almost treating each one individually. This requires enormous effort, patience and dedication. They must also be ready for sudden changes in the weather that could undo their work. Conditions on a farm change from year to year, so a microlot harvested from one area one year may not appear there the next.
Microlots — a treat for coffee lovers and beyond
Interest in good-quality coffee has grown considerably. We are exploring specialty coffee more confidently, seeking beans from renowned producers around the world and from organic farms.
It is no surprise that microlots attract true connoisseurs, the people most interested in new discoveries, curiosities and coffee trends. Microlots open the door to fuller, more intense experiences of flavour and aroma. After all, these are beans selected for uncompromising quality.
Demand is undoubtedly substantial. Who would not like to try a premium coffee at least once? Yet these distinctive lots typically represent no more than 20% of the whole harvest. Considering demand and the fact that microlot crops are not necessarily identical or comparable from one year to the next, that is a small share.
Buying microlot coffee — what should you check?
Has this story captured your imagination? Are you excited to taste exceptional coffee? Before buying a coffee labelled microlot, find out what else should appear on the label or in the online product description.
First, look for its score on the SCAA — Specialty Coffee Association of America — scale. High-scoring coffees around the 85-point mark are worth your attention in the specialty segment.
Second, find out which farm the beans come from. This allows you to check whether it really produces specialty coffee.
Third, check the roast date. This should come as no surprise: every coffee you buy, whether organic, decaffeinated or any other kind, should be fresh! Beans left in a warehouse for months will not deliver exceptional flavour or aroma. That is why our roastery roasts all coffees regularly in small batches, avoiding stockpiling. As we also explain on our homepage, Blueberry Roasters coffee reaches customers no later than two weeks after roasting.
Read also: Robusta — what do we know about it?