New Zealand Sees Growth in NZ-Grown Specialty Coffee – CoffeeTalk

Ikarus Coffee, a pioneering coffee farm in Northland, is set to offer a unique tasting experience this summer aimed at educating visitors about coffee’s provenance and characteristics. Owners Rob Schluter and Marie-Elodie Proust emphasize a slower, more appreciative approach to coffee drinking. Schluter recounts his journey into coffee production, especially the challenges and successes of cultivating the Arabica var. Laurina coffee plant, which is prized for its low caffeine content. This variety was introduced after a fluke occurrence allowed him to obtain seeds internationally.

Coffee experts, including notable figures like Haobo Tong, have made significant journeys to the farm to participate in cupping sessions, a traditional tasting method that helps evaluate the coffee’s flavor profile. This technique is hailed for its universal applicability across the coffee industry, from growers to consumers. However, in line with their vision of enhancing coffee appreciation, Schluter and Proust seek to create a more serene experience for the public this summer, moving away from noisy cupping in favor of a focus on the nuanced flavors revealed through methods like pour-over.

The couple manages approximately 1,200 coffee trees and have had a fruitful harvest of around two tonnes this past season. Proust, a former nutritionist, notes the positive effects of their coffee on her health, contrasting it with her previous experiences with conventional coffee, which she found damaging. Eager to expand their cultivation efforts, they plan to plant more trees, navigate environmental challenges, and inspire other growers in New Zealand, as the local coffee scene is still in its developmental stages, with only about 9,000 trees currently planted across the country.

Schluter highlights the importance of learning from mistakes in coffee cultivation, suggesting a shift towards a more community-oriented approach within the industry. As interest in specialty coffee grows, Ikarus Coffee aims to be at the forefront of this movement, pushing for a deeper understanding and connection with the beans that originate from their unique location, which is noted as being the farthest from the coffee belt. The beauty and complexity of coffee-growing are celebrated through this initiative, promising to enrich the cultural landscape of coffee in New Zealand.

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