Along with all the amazing coffees that shipped from El Salvador was a few vac packs of something different from Finca Mauritania – Cascara!
The Cascara is the dried outer fruit layer of the coffee cherry, typically considered either a waste product or sometimes used in compost. However – if done right the process can produce a delicious and very rare ingredient.
Back before coffee was roasted and brewed, it was likely this fruit that was dried and brewed as tea. Sometimes sweetened or complimented with spices like ginger this drink is best known as Qishr (spelled many different ways).
Whilst it doubtless has been done, we couldn’t help but wonder (hopefully) if this was the first time this drink had been made in the UK. Who knows!
What we do know is that it really is quite delicious. The cascara has notes of tobacco and rosehip, and the tea itself is very fruity and again very rosehip like. It is surprisingly sweet though I could see how some people might want to sweeten it a touch more.
We have only a small amount available and are thinking about putting it in the webshop for those interested – if you are let us know. It would be a very rare opportunity to taste something that is not only delicious but also a little historical glimpse into coffee’s history. We are really excited about this, we hope you are too!
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Comments ( 7 )
put me down for a pack
always up for trying new (or old…) things!
Sam palfreyman added these pithy words on
Oct 05 08 at
5:04 am
Gary added these pithy words on Interesting!
‘Qishr’ is the arabic word for skin, as in outer covering…
And Arabic is the national language of Mauritania, which is the name of that plantation?
I wonder how Mauritania links to El Salvador?
I wonder if it can be used as a spice – like cinnamon?
Rgds,
Sammy
Sammy added these pithy words on
Oct 07 08 at
8:42 am
Would definately be interested in trying this one guys – one of my staff asked if they did anything with the coffee fruit when I was training them last week. Would be great to let them actually taste it. Lou x
Lou Henry added these pithy words on
Oct 08 08 at
2:59 am
Steves added these pithy words on I am very excited and honored that Square Mile is carrying the Finca Mauritania Cascara. Would love to have feedback once you all have tasted it to see what you thought! Only 255 lbs of it was produced this year. I hope you enjoy it!
Aida Batlle added these pithy words on
Oct 14 08 at
9:05 am
