Honduras Marcala Catuai Coffee
Caramel, milk chocolate and walnut from Marcala, the first coffee in Central America with a protected origin.
A Catuaí from Marcala, in the department of La Paz in southwestern Honduras, home to Central America's first legally recognized denomination of origin for coffee. The cup is caramel, milk chocolate and walnut.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 89 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 37.1 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related reading
| Brewing method | AeroPress |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 14.4g → 240g |
| Grind size | Medium-fine |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 2:45-4:00 depending on method |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 14.4 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 240 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
- AeroPress
- Paper or metal filter
- Burr grinder
- Kettle
- Scale
- Timer
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Rinse the filter, assemble, and add 14.4 g ground medium-fine.
- 0:00Pour 240 g of water at 93°C, start the timer, and stir gently three times.
- 2:53Fit the plunger and pull back very slightly to seal, halting the drip.
- 3:23Press steadily over about 30 seconds. Stop as soon as you hear the hiss.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 89 mg for an 8 oz cup.
A protected name
The name Marcala is legally protected, so a bag sold as Café Marcala must come from the defined area.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A Catuaí from Marcala, in the department of La Paz in southwestern Honduras, home to Central America's first legally recognized denomination of origin for coffee. The cup is caramel, milk chocolate and walnut.
Origin & Story
Marcala sits in southwestern Honduras, near the Salvadoran border, in the department of La Paz, at roughly 1,300 to 1,700 meters. On 18 November 2005, at the request of the Association of Coffee Producers of Marcala, Café Marcala was recognized as the first denomination of origin in Honduras and in Central America.
That recognition ties the name to the place: volcanic soil, steady rainfall and high ground. Only coffee grown inside the defined area can carry the name, which gives buyers a guarantee and gives the farmers a story they can tell.
Marcala is the heart of the Montecillos region, one of the six coffee regions of Honduras, where coffee grows between about 1,200 and 1,600 meters. Honduras has been the largest coffee producer in Central America since 2011, and most of its coffee comes from small farms.
The variety in this cup, Catuaí, was bred in Brazil. Scientists at the Instituto Agronômico in Campinas began crossing yellow Caturra with Mundo Novo in 1949, looking for a tree with the high yield of one and the compact size of the other, and they released it in Brazil in 1972.
In the cup, caramel gives it sweetness, and milk chocolate and walnut give it a rounded finish. The AeroPress recipe here makes a clean cup in a couple of minutes.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 83/100 |
| Acidity | 60/100 |
| Bitterness | 28/100 |
| Body | 70/100 |
| Aroma | 84/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Honduras Marcala Catuai Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 89 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Honduras Marcala Catuai Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Honduras Marcala Catuai Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 2:45-4:00 depending on method. Method: AeroPress. Ratio: 60g coffee per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Medium-fine.
What is a denomination of origin?
It is a legal protection that ties a product's name to a specific place, so only coffee grown there can use the name. Café Marcala, recognized in 2005, was the first coffee denomination of origin in Honduras and in Central America.
What is Catuaí coffee?
Catuaí is a coffee variety bred in Brazil from a cross of yellow Caturra and Mundo Novo, begun in 1949 and released in 1972. It combines Mundo Novo's high yield with Caturra's compact size.
Who should avoid Honduras Marcala Catuai Coffee?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
AeroPress Clear Coffee Maker
In this recipe: AeroPress
Affiliate link: CupCura may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We have not tested this product ourselves. Disclosure
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