What is a microlot?
Over time, numerous terms have been created and adapted to meet the needs and expectations of the specialty coffee industry. One such term is microlot, which is used by many members of the coffee industry to refer to small, distinctive, and traceable batches of coffee.
The terroir in a cup 
Although blends are commonplace in the world of coffee, microlots also bring their own set of advantages, particularly through the unique profiles they can offer.
The coffee beans we brew every day are actually the seeds of fruit, more commonly known as coffee cherries. Yes, coffee is cultivated! And like all good, carefully grown products, we can taste the full terroir of the plant when we savor it. For us, tasting these unique, terroir-driven flavors is one of the things we love about coffee; we love how these flavors shine through in the cup, a testament to all the work that went into producing it.
If we think of a particular flavor profile we enjoy—say, a full body with notes of ripe fruit and cocoa—there's a coffee whose natural flavors fit that description. Many, in fact, and these unique flavors are achieved through the terroir and the processing of those particular cherries, nothing else.
Highlighting the producers 
The term Microlot has become popular among many producers, third wave enthusiasts, which is characterized by the importance placed on quality coffees produced sustainably, processed with care and offering customers a unique in-cup experience.
Today, consumers are increasingly demanding details about the farms, varieties, and processing methods involved in producing the coffee they drink. Microlots provide this information by proving that a particular coffee is traceable and distinctive. Opting for microlots ensures that producers sort and process their coffees with greater care, and also facilitates the development of long-term relationships with buyers.
The work involved in coffee cultivation is essential; farmers work tirelessly to care for their trees and produce high-quality coffee, from the nursery to the hand-harvesting of the cherries. Their well-being is tied to their coffee trees—drought, severe weather, and plant diseases can all impact their plants and, in turn, the farmers' livelihoods. Often, they must cultivate different crops and engage in other activities to diversify their income due to the uncertainties of coffee farming.
Given the meticulous care they put into producing their coffees, we believe this is the least we can do to give credit where it's due. While we appreciate blends, they often overlook the people behind the cup, as they offer less traceability of the coffees used. Microlots have the advantage of highlighting farmers and their hard work, offering bags of coffee for which a producer can take full responsibility.
