Cascara and Qishr

Posted by James Hoffmann and posted on October 4, 2008
Filed Under New Coffee, webshop |

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.

cascara

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!

brewing qishr

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!

macro cascara

Comments

7 Responses to “Cascara and Qishr”

  1. Sam palfreyman on October 5th, 2008 5:04 am

    put me down for a pack :) always up for trying new (or old…) things!

  2. David Walsh on October 6th, 2008 12:28 am

    ditto! love to try this stuff.

  3. Gary on October 6th, 2008 12:42 pm

    I’ll take some too.

  4. Sammy on October 7th, 2008 8:42 am

    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

  5. Lou Henry on October 8th, 2008 2:59 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

  6. Steves on October 9th, 2008 2:39 pm

    Um, yes plz!

  7. Aida Batlle on October 14th, 2008 9:05 am

    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!

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