Journal — October 2024

I can’t believe it’s already October. I hope you’re all doing well. It’s been a whirlwind of a month here in NC, and we really appreciate any and all help that you’ve been able to send to our friends in the High Country. Asheville and Boone (and so many of the magical little mountain towns in Western NC) have such a special place in my heart and they’ve got a long road ahead as they figure out how to rebuild from Hurricane Helene. I’ve gotten to host and be a part of a number of fundraiser events in recent weeks, and am happy to point y’all towards trustworthy organizations on the ground if you’re looking to help. A special thank you to Jia Min and Dennis from Nylon, who reached out to do that immediately after the storm. So in addition to sending us lovely coffees, they are also sending much needed aid, and I’m forever grateful.

Singapore’s Nylon Coffee has been a staple of the specialty coffee world in Southeast Asia since 2012. I first visited their tiny little basement-level roastery/cafe in 2013 and was immediately in love. They source excellent green coffee and roast each one with care. From day one, they were doing their part to give back, raising money for Charity Water. And since 2022, they’ve also been giving back to 1% For The Planet.

So many folks in that part of the world started their coffee journey with a cup at Nylon, and it’s such a privilege to share their offerings with you all now. Just last month they finally upgraded to a new, larger roaster, and I’m really impressed with what they’re doing with it already. This month’s feature includes some genuinely stunning coffees from oft-overlooked producing countries, like Nicaragua and El Salvador.

I’m loving all of them a lot and can’t wait to hear what you think of each one. But I’ll focus in a bit more on the coffee everyone will be enjoying (which we’ll also be brewing at our cafe), as written by Jia Min. “Nestled in the enchanting community of El Pinabete, within the region of Los Arados, Mozonte, lies Finca Libre. This experimental farm...stands as a testament to the irreplaceable value of experimentation and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of coffee. Its commitment to embracing different methods, nurturing diverse varieties, and ensuring the health of its crops exemplifies the dedication and passion flourishing in the heart of Mozonte's coffee community.” She visited Finca Libre most recently in March of 2024 and was glad we wanted to feature it.