FIrst Light - Light Roast

Little River Coffee Co.'s First Light is a single origin roast of the Costa Rican Tarrazu bean. This is the one that when the shop is open all the regulars always ask “ya got First Light going?” It became the local favorite really quickly because for a light roast, it does not lack flavor! 

The soil this bean is grown in is an absolute perfect combination for a coffee berry to thrive. Coffee is a fruit. Like other fruits it needs 3 things; the perfect soil, sun, and shade. Tarrazu is a region that is so perfectly balanced. It is in a rainforest with the perfect amount of all three and grown at the perfect elevation. Starbucks actually bought every lot of Tarrazu for several years for their blonde roast up until late 2019, this actual bag is off the very first lot once they released it. 

This bean is certified “Rainforest Organic” which which means it's produced in an environmentally responsible way to protect one of the most vulnerable ecosystems in our planet. Purchasing this kind of bean helps guarantee a healthy planet for generations to come.  

It is a smooth cup of coffee with milk chocolate cupping notes, fruity aroma, and smells so, so good throughout the house or shop when it’s percolating.

• Roast Level: Light 
• Origin: Costa Rica 
• Single Origin 

Tasting Notes: Great Breakfast Blend / Flavorful with Hints of Milk Chocolate 

Inspiration for the Name: As the sun peaks above the mountains, this is the first cup to reach for of the day. Smooth and drinkable with the boost of caffeine you'll need to prepare for a day's adventure. Best enjoyed with your favorite view of the great outdoors. 

Honey washed and processed, this incredible bean from Nicaragua is the largest bean in the world! It is SHG meaning strictly high grown in volcanic soil in the Nicaraguan mountains. 

Now for the really cool part . . . Once harvested, it is then washed and processed in raw honey delicately infusing it with even more flavor. The vast majority of the world's coffee is chemically washed but not this bean, that’s why we love it so much - carefully grown and washed naturally to preserve the best of what Mother Nature has to offer. 

The cupping notes are warm vanilla, honey, and brown sugar. The Muir Approved Medium became a favorite amongst guests quickly! John Muir said, 'The Mountains are calling and I must go." Well, we're just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so when you hear those mountains call, stop in for some Muir Approved Medium to kick off your day of adventure with a honey washed treat. 

• Roast Level: Medium
• Origin: Nicaragua 
• Single Origin

Tasting Notes: Warm Honey and Vanilla / Smooth and Creamy 

Inspiration: "The mountains are calling and I must go." "Going to the woods is going home." - John Muir We've all heard it, some of us have acted on it, but when was the last time you really embraced the adventure of life. Grab a cup of Muir Approved Medium and start planning. Life's biggest adventures await and the clock is ticking. 

Don't put this baby in the corner . . . Introducing the Bullhead Bold. It’s a peaberry bean or as some call it a “baby bean.” She’s the smallest bean in the entire world and absolutely jam packed with both caffeine and flavor. 

Typically a super expensive buy, this little gem is literally hand picked. A peaberry is a coffee bean that is actually mutated, which means its sibling bean didn’t develop so it’s just a single, tiny seed. Growers hand pick each one out and place them in a different bag. And that my friends, is the bag we went for. Nature doesn't make mistakes, she makes beautiful, delicious renditions. 

So, Bullhead Bold is our in-house, peaberry coffee tiny in size but rich with flavor. It’s grown on a single plantation, a small family owned farm in Papua New Guinea and it also happens to be organic. While others may chose to price this little beauty high, (like ridiculously expensive - fancy pants high) we believe the beautiful flavors of the world should be accessible. Enjoy! 

• Roast Level:  Dark
• Single Origin: Papua New Guinea 

Tasting Notes: Smooth with Caramel and Brown Sugar, Vanilla 

Inspiration for the Name: The Bullhead trail is one of the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that was severely impacted by the 2016 Chimney Tops fires. In honor of the resilience of our small mountain towns, we named this roast the Bullhead Bold.  Out of the ashes of the fire, the tiny little spot in the Smokies still stands bold and beautiful.  Today, it's still one of the lesser populated routes to Mt. Leconte but the fires left behind a silver lining in the form of  stunning views and we think this toasty, unique cup is a wonderful reminder of the power of something small and mighty. 

• Roast Level: Medium
• Origin: Nicaragua  and Costa Rica 

Name Inspiration: At Little River Coffee Company, we're proud of the place we call home. Right in the heart of the Smokies, at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and just footsteps from the Little River. The Wye is inspired by a super special spot where several branches of water blend together to form our Little River. A perfect blend just like what we have developed for your coffee cup! 

• Roast Level: Medium
• Origin: Guatemala
• Single Origin
• Swiss Water Process 

Tasting Notes: Warm Honey and Vanilla / Smooth and Creamy 

Name Inspiration: A favorite Summertime spot in the Great Smoky Mountains, Deep Creek can leave you a bit tuckered out at the end of the day. For those days when you're winding down but still want a little something to warm up with, reach for the Deep Creek Decaf. Pro Tip: Deep Creek is a great tubing spot, one of the few locations in the National Park that you can enjoy by bicycle, and a lesser-known location to visitors. Head on over for a relaxing, soul-inspiring day on the water.