King O’Cats
The Fable of The Black Cat
One cold evening, a sexton’s wife sat by the fire with her old black cat, Old Tom, when her husband burst in, wild-eyed and trembling. He had just returned from digging a grave at Mr. Fordyce’s plot, claiming he’d heard a cat’s miaou in the night.
“Who’s Tommy Tildrum?” he cried, confused and agitated, asking his wife while the cat stared back.
He told them what he saw: nine black cats, all like their Tom, each with a white spot on its chest, walking in solemn procession toward him. They carried a small coffin draped in black velvet, and their eyes glowed green in the dark. At every third step they cried out together, “miaou.”
When they reached the grave, their procession stopped. The largest cat stepped forward and spoke to him in a voice of whispers: “Tell Tom Tildrum that Tim Taffy is dead.”
At that moment, Old Tom leapt up, fur bristling, and let out a shriek: “What – Old Tom dead? Then I’m the King o’ the Cats!” He bolted straight up the chimney and was never seen again.
Coffee Lot Details
Founded in 2017, The Coffee Gardens was built on a simple idea: to grow exceptional coffee while improving the lives of the people who produce it. The project connects farmers directly with coffee drinkers, creating a transparent and ethical supply chain that rewards quality at every stage.
In 2022, the team rebuilt their washing station on a new site, expanding capacity to process more coffee and support more local growers. Their purpose runs deeper than production alone. The Coffee Gardens exists to increase farmer income, create employment in rural areas, promote gender equality, and protect the environment. They also provide regular training in good agricultural practices, giving farmers the tools to produce better coffee and sustain healthier land.
Farmers who work with The Coffee Gardens are rewarded through seasonal bonuses, tree planting initiatives, and year-round education. Every farmer receives clear buying records and full transparency on pricing.
This particular lot was harvested in January 2023, grown by farmers on the mountain above the washing station. The cherries are carried down to the mill by hand, where they are fermented in cherry for 100 hours, then pulped and placed into tanks for a further 40-hour fermentation before drying. The result is a coffee that reflects both innovation and integrity, capturing the ambition of a community determined to do things the right way.
Tasting notes
Elevation
1800-2200 masl
Varietal
Process
Washed
