Philippines Lanao Del Sur Honey

Honey processed coffee involves depulping the coffee cherry, then drying the bean with a thin layer of sweet mucilage still attached. It results in a coffee that is often sweeter than a washed coffee, and not as funky as a natural processed coffee, which dries the coffee cherry whole. Honey processed beans also use ~90% less water than washed coffee.

Like its natural processed sibling, this coffee comes from the Lanao del Sur region of Mindanao, in the Philippines. Parts of Mindanao have witnessed violent conflict for generations, arguably dating back to pre-colonial times. The farmers who grow this coffee have partnered with Coffee for Peace (CFP). The organization’s roots can be traced back to a dispute between armed landowners, which CFP eventually helped settle—peacefully, of course—over a cup of coffee. They have gone on to build a framework that educates indigenous farmers on coffee plantation management and best growing practices. CFP helps indigenous communities preserve their ancestral lands, protects the environment, and offers a viable alternative to longstanding violence between communities. Our partners at Kape (check them out next time you’re in Vancouver!) have paid 400% above market rate to ensure the farmers are fairly compensated to foster dignity, reinvestment, and sustainability.

This is an excellent “cup of joe” kind of coffee. It’s immediately quite fudgy and full-bodied, but it lingers long enough for some winey then acidic notes to kick in and keep things interesting. It made us think of a dark chocolate version of Raisinets with a lovely pomelo finish.

The core of our mission at munti is to bring a little (munti) joy to your mornings. Doing it with a coffee that’s bringing more than a little peace to one of our home countries is even more special. We hope you love this coffee as much as we do—for all it stands for, as well as for how it tastes.