We’re over here gearing up for summer. The patio is open, cold drinks are back on the menu, and we’re welcoming post-run and post-bike crews on the daily. It feels good to see the sun again!
Over the past few years, we’ve learned a lot about coffee and about our own business. We’ve figured out what we love to roast, what our community loves to drink, and what commitments to producers in sourcing we wish to build. While this approach has always mattered to us, it’s taken time to get Holm to a place where we can reliably and sustainably start making more long-term commitments. It’s been a journey, to say the least!
When we speak of making long-term commitment, it means backing a producer before all the variables are known. Rather than waiting to see where pricing lands or how a harvest turns out, we’re committed to standing with producers through those fluctuations. If yields are lower one year, if climate affects harvest size, or if a coffee cups a little differently than expected, the contract still stands.
Through Semilla, we’ve been fortunate to build a buyer-seller relationship not only with importers, but with the farmers that feels impactful and meaningful. This year, we’re making commitments with two producers many of you already know from the menu: Jose Ramirez and Danilo Sanchez.
Jose’s coffee is one we return to year after year, and for good reason. His washed Typica from Guatemala is beautifully clean and classic, with comforting chocolate-cherry notes, delicate florals and brown sugar sweetness. It fills a part of our menu we care deeply about and does so with remarkable consistency.
Meanwhile, Danilo brings something entirely different. He works largely with the Parainema varietal and multiple processing methods like; washed anaerobic, natural & natural anaerobic. His coffees tend to be wilder and more experimental, they keep changing and we love following where that experimentation leads.
We’re excited to deepen our trust as a buyer with both of them.
And while we want long-term relationships to become a bigger part of how we buy coffee, that doesn’t mean we stop exploring. One of the joys of roasting is being able to hold both things at once: returning to producers we trust while staying curious about new coffees and varietals. This summer, we’ve got three new arrivals from Colombia, San Augustin, that we’re particularly excited about.
A Tabi from Edwin and Javier Burbano at San Isidoro Farm. Tabi is a relatively young Colombian hybrid, developed around 15 years ago and bred to grow well in local conditions while producing exceptional cup quality. We’ve roasted a Tabi before and it was a huge hit. Expect deep florals, gentle spice and a cup that leans firmly into coffee geek territory while still being incredibly enjoyable to drink.
A Gesha from Stiven Hoyos at Balceros farm. Stiven is a producer whose coffees we’ve been roasting since our first year working with Semilla. We first purchased one of his lots, loved it, brought it back, and are especially happy to be roasting his coffee again this season. This one will be delicate, tea-like and beautifully nuanced. Gesha is notoriously difficult to grow and low yielding, which makes great Gesha all the more special.
A Sidra from Augusto Ortega (Marleny's partner, which Gesha we roasted over the winter). Sidra is another varietal we’re excited about and one that’s been gaining attention in coffee circles. A hybrid of Bourbon and Typica, it’s known for crisp acidity and clarity. Sidra thrives under very specific growing conditions, but when done well it offers exceptional quality alongside stronger yields than more delicate varietals like Gesha..
Some of these coffees sit at a higher price point and lean a little more niche than what we typically offer. To make them easier to explore, we’ll be offering smaller 150g bags alongside full sizes. We’ve got plenty arriving this summer and will be introducing these coffees one at a time as they land.
Until then, as ever, thank you for your support! It means the world to us.
Simon & Izzy
P.S. Something else is brewing. This summer, Alexis of Reeno’s Deli will be opening an Italian sandwich food truck at Holm. We’re still finalising details, but expect excellent sandwiches, good company and another reason to linger on the patio.
