This coffee is a Typica Mejorado variety from the La Josefina farm in the Amazonian region of Ecuador, grown at an altitude of 1400-1600 meters. The coffee undergoes a saline wash and 24-hour fermentation, followed by a 35-day slow drying process on shaded African beds inside polytunnels. This natural process results in a complex cup with flavor notes of mango, strawberry jam, and almond.
Special Guests Coffee was founded in 2022 by Paul Ross, a two time UK Barista Champion who took the title in 2019. After stints at Origin Coffee, Kiss the Hippo, and Watch House, Paul launched a boutique roastery focused on rare micro lots, competition level beans, and exclusive varietals in extremely limited supply. The flagship café on Aybrook Street in Marylebone opened in late 2023, featuring two long silver counters: one dedicated to espresso, the other to a pourover brew bar offering 12 single origin coffees as hand brewed filter. The roastery also maintains an archive of carefully frozen coffees, giving standout lots a second chance to shine. A monthly subscription delivers 100g of rare, world class coffee to members.
