Little Waves Coffee

Little Waves Coffee

Amor Prohibido

Amor Prohibido is Little Waves' rotating blend of American coffees, crafted to deliver a consistently sweet, chocolate-forward profile. Notes of toffee and candied orange provide balance and complexity to this full-bodied cup. It excels in milk-based beverages, where its candy-sweet character becomes more pronounced. This is a approachable, indulgent blend designed for coffee drinkers who prize sweetness and body over origin complexity.

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Ana María Donneys, Azafrán Natural Caturra - Colombia

Ana María Donneys grows this Caturra at 1,450 meters in Circasia, Quindío, Colombia, on Finca La Paloma. The natural anaerobic process—12 hours controlled oxidation followed by 72-hour sealed-tank fermentation—builds complex aromatics and a creamy, juicy body. Expect blueberry, pink starburst, rum punch, and tamarind with a clean, lingering finish. Named for Ana's grandmother's favorite flower, this coffee merges family legacy with meticulous technique: slow sun-drying on African beds preserves lipid content for aromatic depth and stability.

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Ana María Donneys, Pink Ranger Honey Pink Bourbon & Caturra - Colombia

From Finca La Primavera in Circasia, Quindío at 1,450 meters, this coffee showcases Ana María Donneys's partnership with the University of Quindío to push fermentation science. The honey anaerobic process—96 hours in cherry under CO₂, then 24 hours post-pulp with a university-isolated lactobacillus and yeast consortium—creates layered aromatic complexity while keeping fermentation clean and bright. Expect strawberry yogurt, magnolia, pink lady apple, and a papaya finish with the juicy acidity that comes from intentional lactic and citric acid development. This is specialty coffee rooted in research and respect for terroir, from a fifth-generation grower committed to quality and community.

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Atitlán - Washed - Guatemala

From the volcanic slopes of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, this washed lot comes from AproCafé Atitlán, a cooperative of 54 organic-certified producers farming between 1,560 and 2,200 meters elevation. The washed process—cherries carefully harvested and slowly dried on patios and raised beds—preserves clarity and sweetness. Expect honey crisp apple, milk chocolate, nougat, and a lemon aftertaste with gentle warmth. This is a relationship-driven coffee from a third year of partnership, representing the collective work of many families and the legacy of co-founder Pedro Isaías González.

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Black Condor, Colombia

Black Condor comes from Gaitania, Tolima, in Colombia's coffee region, grown at 1,650–1,950 MASL across 30–45 independent producers united by Emmanuel Enciso's cooperative processing center. The washed process preserves clarity and brightness, revealing a sweet cup with distinct caramel, grapefruit pulp, and peach ring notes. What sets this coffee apart is its remarkable versatility—roast it with slightly more development and it shifts toward plum and deeper stone fruit. Forest Coffee pays 30% above market rates to ensure both quality and sustainability across the project.

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Coffee racemosa Natural - Colette Tracy - South Africa

From Hluhluwe on South Africa's Elephant Coast, this Coffea racemosa grows at just 120m elevation in hot, dry conditions that favor its natural pest and disease resistance. The natural process emphasizes its distinctive flavor profile: lingonberry, cinnamon, toasted pistachio, and eucalyptus notes that set it apart from conventional Arabicas. Racemosa is one of the world's rarest coffees—only 11,000 trees exist commercially—with tiny beans and low yields that make harvest and processing extraordinarily difficult, especially during South Africa's wet summer. The species ripens in just 8–12 weeks and contains only 0.75g caffeine per 100g, making this a genuinely unique, climate-adapted alternative to mainstream coffee.

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Condor Decaf, Colombia

From Tolima, Colombia, at 1,450 meters, this decaf comes from the Bayter family's El Vergel Estate, where Martha and her sons blend traditional methods with modern fermentation to develop fruity complexity. The caffeine removal uses sugarcane ethyl acetate extraction in circular containers—immersing the beans repeatedly until reaching 0.1% caffeine content, preserving the cup's integrity. Expect stonefruit and molasses with a nutty aftertaste, brewed as a full-bodied filter or espresso. A decade-long flagship proves the Bayters' commitment to quality decaf that doesn't compromise on taste.

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Dinkinesh: Worka Chelbessa, Ethiopia

Worka Chelbessa hails from Gedeb in southern Gedeo, Ethiopia's highest-altitude coffee zone (1,900–2,200 masl), where producer Neguesse Debela's washing station crafts washed coffees of notable clarity. This lot combines both wet and dry fermentation—coffee submerged 36–48 hours, then pulped and dry-fermented another 36–48 hours before 10–14 days on raised beds—a hybrid approach that deepens complexity. Expect the delicate florality and citric brightness Yirgacheffe is famed for: meyer lemon, bergamot, and refined acidity. A thoughtfully processed coffee that rewards precision brewing.

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Don't Forget to Look at the Moon

A carefully balanced blend of 70% Guatemala and 30% Ethiopia—with origins rotating seasonally—that earned Little Waves Coffee recognition as a finalist in Roast Magazine's 2022 Roaster of the Year competition. The blend showcases milk chocolate, apricot, and caramel notes in a clean, medium-bodied cup suited to both espresso and filter brewing. Named after a line from Michael Ondaatje's *The English Patient*, it reflects the roaster's philosophy of presence and attentive engagement with their sourcing partners, making it both a technically sound coffee and a statement of intentional practice.

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Edwin Enrique Noreña - Black Honey Gesha - Competition Series - Colombia

Edwin Enrique Noreña's Geisha grows at 1,800 MASL on Finca Campo Hermoso in Armenia, Quindío Department. The black honey process combines carbonic maceration with extended lactic fermentation—cherries ferment 72 hours to produce mossto, then pulped coffee ferments another 72 hours with selected lactic yeast cultures before slow parabolic drying. The result is a velvety cup with rose, hibiscus, watermelon, and lychee, built on Noreña's proven mastery of co-fermentation borrowed from wine and beer production. A competition-grade coffee that makes complex fermented flavors unmistakably clear and approachable.

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Edwin Enrique Noreña - Black Honey Sidra - Competition Series - Colombia

From Finca Campo Hermoso in Quindio Department, Colombia, at 1,600 meters, Edwin Enrique Noreña's Bourbon Sidra undergoes Black Honey processing with carbonic maceration and lactic fermentation—techniques borrowed from wine and beer production to deliver precise, repeatable flavor expression. The cup opens with pineapple and floral aromatics, then unfolds into lavender, peach tea, mango nectar, pineapple, lychee, and yakult (the probiotic milk sweetness a direct result of the lactic fermentation). Noreña, a Q-grader and Cup of Excellence judge, has built his reputation on making specialty coffee flavors unmistakably approachable—this competition-series offering proves why.

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Edwin Enrique Noreña - Black Honey Sudan Rume Enigma Hops - Competition Series - Colombia

Grown at 1,600 MASL in Armenia, Quindio Department by third-generation producer Edwin Enrique Noreña, this Sudan Rume undergoes Black Honey processing with carbonic maceration lactic fermentation and co-fermentation with Enigma hops—techniques borrowed from wine and beer production to achieve repeatable, evocative flavor expression. Expect coconut cream aromatics, piña colada and key lime pie on the nose, followed by kiwi and peach candy notes that deepen as the cup cools, revealing new layers with each sip. Noreña's meticulous fermentation mastery ensures flavors aren't just present but unmistakably detectable, making this competition-caliber coffee equally rewarding for daily drinking.

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Edwin Enrique Noreña Competition Box Set - Colombia

A curated box set of three coffees from Edwin Enrique Noreña's Finca Campo Hermoso in Quindío Department, Colombia, grown at 1,600–1,800 MASL. Each lot undergoes black honey processing with carbonic maceration and lactic fermentation, a technique that defines Noreña's style. The trio highlights three distinct varieties—Geisha, Sudan Rume, and Bourbon Sidra—each expressing its own character while maintaining sweetness, aromatics, complexity, and delicate nectarous body. These are competition-selected coffees that reward careful brewing; pour over at 1:14 ratio or espresso at 1:2.1.

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Fugi Ikizere Women - Washed - Rwanda

From the Ngoma Sector of Nyaruguru District in Rwanda's Southern Province, this Red Bourbon grows at 1,700–2,000 meters elevation and is produced by the Ikizere Women collective—115 widowed women and single mothers organized by Baho Coffee founder Emmanuel Rusatira. Washed processing highlights bright acidity and floral complexity. The cup delivers peach, clover honey, pineapple cookie, and clove—a sophisticated profile that rewards light-medium roasting. Beyond the cup, this lot represents genuine equity: farmers receive 50% above national farmgate prices and annual health insurance, while the women sorted and depulped cherry together to build community and lasting friendships.

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Hacienda La Esmeralda - Washed Gesha Especial Lino 3 FB - Panama

From Hacienda La Esmeralda's Cañas Verde farm in Chiriquí, Panama, at 1,700+ meters elevation—the iconic estate that introduced Geisha to the world in 2004. Washed and fermented for 96 hours in a cool room before 8 days of raised-bed drying, this processing preserves the variety's signature elegance. Expect coffee blossoms, jasmine, lemon tea, honey, peach, and golden apple—a bright, floral profile with soft citric complexity. This is a microlot from HLE's Especial Series (outside their auction releases), roasted fresh on Fridays only.

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Jaguar

Jaguar is a carefully proportioned blend: 50% natural-processed Mexico provides juicy body with caramel, toffee, and chocolate notes; 30% washed Colombia and 20% washed Ethiopia add brightness and complexity. The natural component delivers a lush mouthfeel with cinnamon spice and fruity vibrancy, while the washed coffees contribute acidity and clarity. Roasted to taste like the sun, this is a versatile blend that shines across brewing methods—espresso, pour over, or batch brew.

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Kinmuga Peaberry, Papua New Guinea

From the Waghi Valley in Jiwaka Province, Papua New Guinea, this peaberry lot grows at 1,530–1,830 MASL on volcanic soils enriched by the Wara Tuman River. Fully washed at the Kindeng wet mill, it develops a clean, fruit-forward profile: caramel, green apple, pear, cinnamon, and honey. Pour-overs at 1:16.6 ratio unlock brightness and acidity; espresso at 1:2–1:2.1 balances tartness against sugar-browning depth. Beyond the cup, sourcing through Benchmark Coffee Traders supports direct investment in producer communities, including menstrual health programs and vision care initiatives across PNG's highlands.

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Los Toros, Mexico

From the Bella Vista community in Chiapas, Mexico, near the Guatemalan border at 1,500–1,800 meters elevation, this coffee represents six years of direct relationship-building between Little Waves and local producers. The processing method contributes to a distinctive profile of sweet cinnamon, fudge, and creamy, full body. Skilled processing and meticulous attention to detail at altitude produce a coffee that's versatile across espresso, French press, and batch brew—a testament to both the terroir and the community's commitment to quality despite logistical and safety challenges.

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María Deya Camacho, Pink Bourbon Honey, Condor Huila Graduation Auction First Place Winner- Colombia

María Deya Camacho's Pink Bourbon from Finca El Divino Niño in Acevedo, Huila, sits at 1,400 masl and represents her commitment to quality—she placed second in Colombia's Cup of Excellence in 2011. The meticulous honey process begins with a 48-hour anaerobic pre-fermentation in sealed bags, followed by careful depulping that retains partial mucilage, another 48-hour sealed fermentation, a light rinse, and 12–13 days of controlled drying. The result is a bright, complex cup with green apple, blood orange, and raspberry candy notes. This was the #1 ranked lot at the Condor Huila Graduation Auction, where Little Waves paid $20 per pound green directly to the producer—a direct investment in a woman-led operation pushing boundaries in Colombian specialty coffee.

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Mauricio Shattah - Maragogype Nuruk Fermentation - Colombia

Mauricio Shattah's Maragogype from Finca La Negrita in Tolima, Colombia (1,900–2,100 MASL) undergoes an 18-hour nuruk anaerobic fermentation—using a traditional Korean grain starter—followed by nitrogen flushing to eliminate excess CO₂ and prevent harsh sourness. The cherries ferment in climate-controlled darkness at 17°C, then dry for 6–8 weeks under infrared-only light. The result is a vivid, layered cup with maraschino cherry, grape gummy bears, kiwi, pineapple turnover cake, and rum notes—remarkably clear and balanced despite its experimental processing. This competition-series lot showcases how precise fermentation control and a large-bean variety unlock aromatic complexity and sweetness without the typical funkiness of aggressive anaerobes.

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Mokha Java

This blend draws inspiration from the historic Mokha Java coffee pairing, combining 50% Colombia with 50% Ethiopia—though component origins shift seasonally to maintain freshness and authenticity to the original concept. The roaster hasn't specified processing details, but the result is a full, creamy-bodied coffee with notes of peaches and cream, lemon meringue, and white chocolate. It's versatile enough for black coffee or milk-based brewing, making it a reliable everyday blend.

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Mujeres Divinas - Colombia

From the Condor Huila Project—a women-led initiative in Colombia's Huila region—this washed coffee grows at 1,500–1,900 meters elevation. The washed process brings clarity to the cup: layered notes of milk chocolate, citrus, and melon frame the primary profile of plum, blackberry, and praline with angel food cake sweetness. Little Waves selected this as both a comforting daily drinker and blend foundation, sourced directly from smallholder women producers to support visibility and market access in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

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Ntwari II, Natural Bourbon - Burundi

Ntwari II comes from Kayanza Province, Burundi, grown at 1,683 MASL by a courageous widow farmer who built her coffee business in a male-dominated industry. The natural process preserves the coffee's bright fruit character—yellow apple, fig, and dried pineapple—while the Bourbon variety adds complexity. This light roast celebrates both exceptional cup quality and the farmer's vision: as her business grows, she mentors young women, creating pathways for the next generation. Sourced through JNP Coffee founder Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, a champion of gender diversity in Burundi's coffee community, this coffee delivers on taste and purpose.

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Positive Pressure

Positive Pressure is a rotating three-origin blend (40% Papua New Guinea, 30% Colombia, 30% Ethiopia) that shifts seasonally to capture the best each region offers. The blend is built for a full, creamy body with distinct flavor layers: Nutella-like richness, Madagascar vanilla sweetness, and bright cherry undertones. Versatile across espresso and filter methods, this is a well-rounded daily drinker that prioritizes balance and approachability without sacrificing character.

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Royal 7

Royal 7 is Little Waves Coffee's inaugural dark roast, a blend of American coffees developed to highlight dark chocolate, molasses, and nutty characteristics with a full mouthfeel. Named in honor of the seven young activists who led the first sit-in at Durham's Royal Ice Cream Parlor in 1960, this coffee connects to a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. Each bag supports Feed Durham, a mutual aid collective nourishing the local Black community through grassroots food programs. It's a coffee that delivers classic dark roast comfort while funding meaningful community work.

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St. Al's Cold Brew Blend

St. Al's pairs equal parts Peruvian and Colombian coffees to build a full-bodied, low-acid profile ideal for cold brewing. The blend's chocolate-forward character and rich mouthfeel shine when steeped slowly—Little Waves recommends a Toddy Brewer to unlock its depth. This is whole bean coffee designed for at-home cold brewing, not a ready-made concentrate. Note that component origins rotate seasonally, so flavor nuances may shift.

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STANDART X LWCR - Río Dulce Gesha - José Julián Giraldo, Cafe 1959 - Colombia

José Julián Giraldo's Río Dulce Geisha grows at 2,050 MASL on Finca Las Marias in Pijao, Quindío, on Colombia's Eastern Andes. The washed process is unusually controlled: hand-picked ripe cherry ferments in a refrigerated room, then pulps and rests again before a multi-tier drying protocol that moves the coffee from sun-exposed beds to shade, followed by hermetically sealed fermentation and final slow drying to 10.5% moisture. The result is delicate and bright—candied lemon, papaya, dried mango, white florals, and tea-like clarity. This is the culmination of José's decade-long Geisha selection work and his studied approach to pH, temperature, and cherry ripeness, making it a standout expression of varietal and process precision.

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Summer Wine

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Ternura

Ternura is a seasonal Colombian blend designed to evoke comfort and nostalgia. The composition shifts with the harvest, but always centers on Colombian coffee's natural sweetness. Notes of strawberry jam, waffle cone, and chocolate cake create a full-bodied, syrupy cup that shines with milk. This is coffee built for indulgence—perfect for espresso or filter brewing.

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Tierra de Mi Padre: Mujeres de Cofradía y Malinal, Natural, Mexico

Tierra de Mi Padre celebrates two women's producer groups in El Malinal, Cofradia de Chocolon, Nayarit, Mexico, grown at 900 meters elevation. The natural process brings out vibrant pear, raspberry, and green grape alongside hazelnut—bright and complex. A multi-varietal blend (Typica, Sarchimor, Mundo Novo, Bourbon, Catuai, Caturra, Costa Rica) that rewards clarity in pourovers or acidity-forward espresso pulls. This lot represents the direct impact of roaster-producer relationships: the second group organized specifically after seeing the first women's lot succeed in specialty markets.

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Tierra de Mi Padre: Mujeres de La Yerba, Natural, Mexico

From La Yerba in Nayarit, Mexico—a region with deep personal significance to Little Waves' owner—this naturally processed coffee grows at 1,025 meters and is produced by the women of Grupo Terruño Nayarita. The natural process brings vibrant fruit forward: green apple and strawberry streusel on the nose, red grape and macadamia in the finish. A multi-varietal blend (Sarchimor, Bourbon, Catuai, Mundo Novo, Caturra, Typica) that brews clean and sweet as a pourover, or punchy with acidity as espresso. Seven years of direct relationship and 100% traceability make this a coffee rooted in community and ancestral connection.