Single Origin, Dual Purpose, All Good
“Ace” Bola de Oro, Guatemala
Price range: $21.50 through $129.00
About Ace:
Ace is Ritual’s first true single-origin “Omni-roast.”
What’s that, you ask?
Well, historically we have developed roast profiles (let’s call them recipes) for each of our individual single-origin coffees based on the brew method associated with them, with most of the coffees geared toward filter roasts in our unique, lightly roasted, “let’s not get in the way of a good green coffee” style.
This means most of our coffees are roasted specifically for drip or pour-over brewing methods- with the notable exception of our seasonal espresso blend and our “Sweet Tooth” line of single-origin espresso. These coffees are expressly earmarked and developed for espresso preparation (pressurized hot water forced through the grounds.)
Being vastly different methods to prepare coffee, we haven’t been able to offer a single farm coffee that would perform amazingly as both a filter roast and an exceptional espresso – until now.
The lighter roasting style we’re known for often requires more care and precision during the brewing process, but we also realize that not everyone always has the time for that. This offering can be trusted to perform admirably no matter the method or level of precision – whether a scale or a scoop, you really can’t lose.
The current Ace offering is: Bola de Oro, Guatemala
About Bola de Oro:
The Guatemalan department of Chimaltenango lies just outside of Antigua, with a view of the Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. The climate, altitude, and soil are similar to those found on the farms of some of our favorite producers like Maria Zelaya just over the hills. While the coffee here doesn’t have the name marketability of Antigua, this does not mean the coffees or the growers are any less special.
Mario Barrera has been working his 18 hectere farm for 19 years now. An experienced 4th generation farmer, he knows just how to grow his caturra and bourbón trees. Slightly newer to producing specialty coffee, Mario has been working with veteran farm manager and exporter Luis Pedro Zelaya, of the renowned Bella Vista mill in Antigua. Part of this work involves an extensive renovation of his farm, which has been ongoing for the past few years. A success story, this work really has been showing in the remarkable quality of his offerings, and we hope to work closely with Mario for many harvests to come.
- Producer
- Mario Barrera
- Location
- Bola de Oro, Chimaltenango, Guatemala
- Variety
- Caturra, Bourbón
- Harvest Season
- Spring 2023
- Processing Method
- Mechanically Washed
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Recommended Brew Parameters
| Dose | 17.3-17.6 grams in a "18g" VST or "17g" Strada basket |
|---|---|
| Temp | 198-200 degrees at the group |
| Time | 29 seconds |
| Brewing Ratio | 50-60% or about 31-33g of liquid |
| Pump Pressure | 8.5-9 Bar or 105-110 psi at the group |
| Days Rested | 7-12 |
