Blog

Microlots vs. building volume

Whether you're seeking standout microlots, unique processing methods, or versatile blends to build volume, planning ahead each season is key to securing the coffees you need at the best prices. Regardless of your required volume, we can help find the perfect fit for your roastery. Our approach is always forward-thinking, working with roasteries of all sizes to stay ahead of the game. Be sure to explore our "Plan Your Coffee" page, which features a harvest calendar to help you stay prepared.

If you're looking for coffee right now, check out our spot offer list. It includes a variety of microlots, as well as larger volumes from collectives, producer groups, washing stations, and single-farmers producing at scale. Below, we’ve highlighted some of our current favourites available or arriving soon from Brazil, Peru, Colombia, & more.

SELECTING MICROLOTS

BRAZIL

When we ask our partners at Jaguara what Brazilian coffee means to them, their answer is simple: "sweetness." This is reflected on our offerlist, as you’ll find lots of sweet, fruit-forward naturals. To further enhance complexity and fruit, we also have a selection of extended fermentation lots available. While anaerobic processed coffees have been less available this season, the few on our offerlist really stand out. They feature integrated, tropical, and clean fruit notes, showcasing the quality of the processing—more balanced and less wild compared to previous years. Despite shipping delays and logistics challenges, we’re still expecting the rest of our Brazils to arrive in November and December.

BR-24-0112 | Diquinho #1 Santa Lucia 
Extended Fermentation Natural
Versatile, could be a nice filter option. Elegant, clean. Notes of orange blossom, berries, apple juice-like, soft floral. Praline finish. Dense, medium intense, with a structured acidity.

BR-24-0174 | Sítio Portella #1 by Edir José de Carvalho
Natural
— Clean, structured, and chunky. Notes of apricot, strawberry, toffee and a long oolong tea finish. 

BR-24-0036 | Sítio Gourita by Edison Ferreira Cardoso
Natural —
Plush acidity, grapelike and delicate. Notes of stewed apple, juicy garden fruit, milk chocolate, caramel. Clean, buttery, and balanced.

BR-24-0027 | Das Almas #1 by Adriano Muñiz
Anaerobic Natural —
Winey and effervescent, a dark fruit profile with grape-like acidity, soft plum and cherry notes, cashew fruit, and light florals. Versatile, but a dreamy SO espresso.

COLOMBIA

Here’s a closer look at the new Colombian crops recently added to our offerlist. These lots are landing by the end of this month or throughout November, making it the perfect time to cup samples. We have unique varieties and special preps from Southern Huila, along with classic washed microlots from Central Huila, known for their deep, complex profiles—ideal for filter coffees. You’ll also find versatile options, great for both filter and single-origin espresso due to their sweetness and clarity. Plus, a Nariño honey collective from Buesaco is available.

CO-24-0336 | Las Brisas #1 by Yeison Tovar
Washed
Round, jammy, dark fruit. Bright acidity and red fruit notes. Brown sugar.

CO-24-0445 | La Esperanza #2 by Maria Lourdes Galindo
Washed — Distinct and classic. Very juicy and structured with young stonefruit and florals. Complex herbality and red fruit notes.

CO-24-0451 | El Sinai #1 by Luis Alfredo Rojas
Washed
Structured and juicy, like peach juice. Layered stone fruit and red berries, black tea, caramel. Long.

CO-24-0402 | Buesaco Collective #2
Honey
Boozy and pulpy. Good flavours and balance. Notes of vanilla, flowers, red fruit, milk chocolate, nuttiness throughout.

PERU

We’ve got a range of microlots from Northern Peru, as well as a selection of naturals coming. These coffees are sourced through Origin Coffee Lab and Aromas del Valle, from small, family-run farms around La Coipa, Colossay, and San Ignacio. All of these areas are especially unique due to their diverse microclimates and high elevations. Our export partners support producers with quality protocols, traceability, and higher premiums, so that they can invest in production and hold parchment for both microlots and traceable community blends.

Our Perus had people buzzing at our recent Autumn cupping events, standing out on the table this year. If you haven't added any Peruvian coffees to your lineup yet, take a look at some of our top picks!

PE-24-0115 | Nicolas Chilcon (Organic)
Washed Yellow fruit, syrupy, clean, and sweet. Versatile for both single-origin espresso and filters.

PE-24-0151 | Diamante by Mirelly Ordones Gomes
Washed
Delicate, soft florals, with citrus notes, and brown sugar. Perfect filter option.

PE-24-0147 | Jorge Silva (Organic)
Washed — Pink guava, cherry, bright and pulpy, with notes of caramel. Perfect filter option.

PE-24-0122| Alto Pirias Natural (Organic)
Natural — Alto Pirias returns, more winey than last year. Versatile, natural and could make a punchy espresso.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

IO-24-0044 | Frinsa Estate - Honey Tempe #1
Extended Fermentation Honey Rhizopus —
Great structure! So rounded and juicy. Sugary but super balanced. Notes of dried fruit, dense red fruit, toffee. Herbal upfront and grape-like acidity. Sweet syrupy lime juice in finish, giving it some acidity and extra depth.

KE-24-0191 | AA Ngiriambu Kiri #041
Washed
Intense and structured. Complex and clawing acidity. Notes of brown sugar, plum juice, black tea, blackcurrant. Thyme herbal and soft floral. Classic Kenya profile.

LOOKING TO SCALE UP ON VOLUME?

Besides microlots and medium single-farmer lots, we often secure larger quantities from producer groups, cooperatives, washing stations, and occasionally, individual farms with the capacity to generate volume. 

For those interested in scaling up and increasing the quality of your filter options and house espresso, explore our NA Direct offer list. You’ll find a range of single lots available in volumes starting at 30+ bags and extending to 60+ or 100+ bags. The more coffee you can commit to, the more we can trim our margins—while maintaining the price to the farmer. We have a diverse selection of in-stock options and incoming arrivals on our offerlist. Check out some highlights:

If you’d like to try some samples, reach out to your sales rep or email us at coffee@nordicapproach.no. In the meantime, check out some of our top picks:

BR-24-0032 | Santa Cruz #1 by Josiani Moraes
Anaerobic Natural
Sweet and balanced. Notes of red fruit, tropical fruit, milk chocolate and soft spice.

BR-24-0180 | Luzia Collective #4
Natural
Clean and structured. Notes of stone fruit, brown sugar and almond. With a long tea-like finish.

PE-24-0003 | Estrella Divina Organic #3
Washed
— Dense and sweet. Notes of stewed fruit, vanilla, and caramel.

PE-24-0078 | La Perla
Washed
— Round and clean. Notes of plum and milk chocolate, with a silky texture.

CO-24-0296 | Bomba de Fruta #1
Natural — Sweet and round, with juicy red fruit, spice, and chocolate flavours. Syrupy texture up front and a transparent sugarcane-like quality. Juicy finish with notes of apple pie with a hint of cinnamon.

Written by
Published on
October 24, 2024

The latest updates delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the freshest news on origins, harvests, new producers, our coffee list, and market insight.

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms of Use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.