Contributing Author Kristine Hansen: Honduras Capucas

Honduras is no newbie when it comes to growing and harvesting coffee, but coffee from this region has not always been marked by origin, and instead packaged as – gasp! – pre-ground coffee shoved in a tin can and stocked on supermarket shelves. You couldn’t know if it was Colombian or Honduran.

Running on a limited supply, through what expects to be the early part of next week, Alterra Coffee Roasters stores are brewing Honduras Capucas by the pot. They are also selling a pound of beans for around $10. Very light and well-balanced, and with a hint of herbal acidity, this is a coffee to brew on the kind of crisp and cool autumn mornings we’ve been having. A smoky flavor underbellies the coffee’s taste before ending on a brighter note. It’s a winner, too: the Specialty Coffee Competition held a judging contest at the Cooperativa Cafetalera Capucas Limitada earlier this year. And this coffee took the cake.