COLOMBIA RODRIGO SANCHEZ | BOURBON SIDRA | COLD WASHED | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

COLOMBIA RODRIGO SANCHEZ | BOURBON SIDRA | COLD WASHED

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Colombia freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Finca La Loma is located in Vereda Agua Negra in the Pitalito municipality of Huila. The farm has 12 hectares planted with many varieties, including Caturra, Variedad Colombia, Pink Bourbon, Pacamara, Laurina, and Geisha. The mill on the farm includes a depulper and tanks for dry fermentation. Producers Rodrigo Sanchez Valencia and Claudia Samboni have been cultivating coffee on La Loma since 2011.

 

About the coffee

Sidra is a cross between Typica and Bourbon that was discovered in Ecuador. The exact origins of Sidra’s name are unclear, but many think it may be named after the drink, cider, because of its fruity and winey profile. Appearance-wise, Sidra looks similar to Bourbon with well-defined, sloping branches, good tertiary branches and green buds. Sidra is high yielding with a good seed size and superb quality potential.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

PANAMA HACIENDA LA ESMERALDA | GESHA REINA 3FB | WASHED | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

PANAMA HACIENDA LA ESMERALDA | GESHA REINA 3FB | WASHED

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Panama freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Located in the Boquete region of Panama, Hacienda La Esmeralda is a multiple award-winning coffee farm run by the Peterson family that has consistently achieved record-breaking prices at auction. The whole family is involved in production and prides themselves on absolute consistency and excellence in preparation, which is perhaps why they grow the finest Geisha in the world.

 

About the coffee

Explore Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda (from Reina 3FB lot), a rare Gesha variety coffee, washed-processed and grown at altitudes of 1600-1800 meters in Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama. Its cultivation is overseen by Rachel Peterson at the Hacienda La Esmeralda farm.

The characteristics of this lot include an altitude of over 1700 meters above sea level, estimated annual rainfall of 3500 mm, average temperatures: daytime between 16°C and 23°C, and nighttime between 10°C and 15°C, with an average coffee tree age of 12 years, and a total production area of 3.25 hectares.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

PANAMA HACIENDA LA ESMERALDA GESHA | LINO 4B | WASHED | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

PANAMA HACIENDA LA ESMERALDA GESHA | LINO 4B | WASHED

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Panama freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Explore Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda (from Lino 4B lot), a rare Gesha variety coffee, washed-processed and grown at altitudes of 1600-1800 meters in Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama. Its cultivation is overseen by Rachel Peterson at the Hacienda La Esmeralda farm.

 

About the coffee

The characteristics of this lot include an altitude of over 1700 meters above sea level, estimated annual precipitations of 3500 mm, average temperatures: daytime between 16°C and 23°C, and nighttime between 10°C and 15°C, with an average coffee tree age of 12 years, and a total production area of 3.25 hectares.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

COLOMBIA EL FLAMENCO | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

COLOMBIA EL FLAMENCO | PINK BOURBON | WASHED

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Colombia freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

El Flamenco is a coffee farm located in the renowned Huila region of Colombia, an area celebrated for its high-quality coffee production. The farm is situated at an elevation of 1700-1800 meters, providing ideal growing conditions for specialty coffee.

 

About the coffee

This coffee comes from the El Flamenco farm, located in the Huila region of Colombia. Cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1700 to 1800 meters, this Pink Bourbon variety is washed-processed, offering a complex aromatic profile with notes of hibiscus, rosehip, red berries, and white sugar.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

ETHIOPIA CHELBESSA | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

ETHIOPIA CHELBESSA | HEIRLOOM | WASHED

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Ethiopia freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Chelbessa Washing Station, where this coffee was processed, is fairly new to the coffee landscape in Yirgacheffe. Nonetheless, this family-owned and operated washing station is producing exceptional coffees on par with some of the region’s most renowned and established outfits.

 

About the coffee

This coffee is grown at Chelbessa Washing Station in the Yirgacheffe region, Gedeb, Ethiopia. Cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1950 to 2200 meters, this Heirloom variety is washed-processed, offering a complex aromatic profile with notes of jasmine, bergamot, orange tangerine, and nectarine. Ideal for those seeking a coffee with refined floral and fruity aromas.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

COLOMBIA JHONATAN GASCA PACAMARA | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

COLOMBIA JHONATAN GASCA | PACAMARA | NATURAL ANAEROBIC

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Colombia freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Colombia Jhonatan Gasca, a rare Pacamara variety coffee, naturally processed anaerobically, grown at an altitude of 1540 meters in Bruselas, Huila, Colombia.
Its cultivation is supervised by Jhonatan Gasca, on the Bella Vista farm.

 

About the coffee

Colombia Jhonatan Gasca Pacamara variety is known for its complex and vibrant flavors, featuring notes of banana liqueur, blackberries, red plums, and sour cherries. This coffee is processed using a natural anaerobic method, involving a meticulous fermentation process that intensifies the fruity notes, making the coffee stand out in competitions.

With this exceptional lot, Tom Hutchins won the Australian Brewers Cup in 2024.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

PANAMA ALTIERI ALESSA | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

PANAMA ALTIERI ALESSA | GESHA | NATURAL

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Panama freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Panama Altieri Alessa, a rare Gesha variety coffee, naturally processed, grown at an altitude of 1800-2200 meters in Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama. Its cultivation is done at the Altieri Specialty Coffee farm. The natural process provides subtle aromas of violets, honeysuckle, melon, blackberry and dark cherry.

This origin is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want to experience special tasting notes.

 

About the coffee

This coffee is special, chosen by us to be directly sourced and traded from the farmers. Expect to find a highly complex flavour profile featuring violets, honeysuckle, melon, blackberry, dark cherry.

With the 3rd place win at the Geisha Natural Best Of Panama 2024, Altieri Specialty Coffee Farm is a family coffee brand that is rapidly growing due to its excellent quality, professional team, and the fact that for the family, it is not just a business but a passion.

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

INDONESIA KOERINTJI BAROKAH | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

INDONESIA KOERINTJI BAROKAH | NATURAL ANAEROBIC

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Indonesia freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Koerintji Barokah was established in 2017 and has gained their export license in 2019.

The cooperative membership consists of farmers in three sub-districts in Kerinci who are committed to adopting sustainable coffee farming practices. The coffee grown by farmers of Koerintji Barokah, in the peripheral part of the Kerinci Seblat National Park,  not only helps farmers to increase their income, but also plays an important role in the protection of the forest ecosystem. Koerintji Barokah labels its coffee as PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services) coffee.

 

About the coffee

Grown at altitudes between 1400 and 1700 meters, this coffee includes the Andung Sari and Sigarar Utang varieties, and is naturally anaerobically processed. Its tasting profile reveals aromas of rum, tropical fruit, blackberry and dried fruit.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

Between Acts | Oana NAstAsache x Meron Gallery

Between September 13th and October 9th, Meron Gallery transforms into a space for dialogue through the exhibition “Between Acts,” where Oana Năstăsache doesn’t impose a clear narrative but offers only the essential elements—precise geometries and strong contrasts—leaving room for each visitor to construct their own understanding. This process of “distilling” complex ideas through simplicity creates a powerful dynamic, inviting viewers to become part of the artwork’s story, to reflect on the traces humans leave in the world, and to discover multiple layers of meaning in each creative act.

The “Between Acts” exhibition curated by Crina Ciocian, transcends the simple presentation of artworks, becoming a metaphor for the moments of transition and interaction between opposing visual forces. Oana reinterprets the concept of an artistic “act,” transforming each piece into an ephemeral moment of creative expression. Each composition represents a fragment of time in motion, a moment where structure and spontaneity meet and intersect, creating a continuous dialogue between order and chaos, control and freedom.

Renowned for her talent in combining precise geometries with free gestures and bold contrasts, Oana Năstăsache creates a space where viewers can complete their own stories. Each piece can be perceived as an independent “act,” a moment of artistic expression in a state of constant evolution and transformation. These intermediate stages are not anchored in time or space but reflect the dynamism and fluidity of the creative process.

Crina Ciocian, the curator of Meron Gallery, brings a unique vision to the exhibition, highlighting the importance of the dialogue between precise structure and free spontaneity in Oana Năstăsache’s art. Through her curatorial approach, Crina Ciocian creates an environment that not only presents the artist’s works but also challenges visitors to reflect on their own experiences and interpretations. The “Between Acts” exhibition thus becomes a space of encounter and interaction between the artist and the public, between control and spontaneity.

The exhibition’s vernissage will take place on September 17th, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM at Meron Gallery in Cluj-Napoca. Admission is free, and the exhibition will be open to the public from September 13th to October 9th, 2024.

About Oana Năstăsache: 

Oana Năstăsache (b. 1991, Galați) lives and works in Cluj-Napoca, where she completed her entire academic journey at the University of Art and Design. She graduated from the Painting department in 2013 and continued with her master’s studies until 2015. In 2022, she earned a PhD in visual arts.

See how the LATTE ART THROWDOWN 2024 went

On the 6th of September, Meron Horea in Cluj-Napoca was buzzing with excitement as we hosted our annual Latte Art Throwdown. The event brought together over 100 coffee lovers and community members, all eager to witness the artistry and skill of some of the top baristas from renowned coffee shops across the country, including our own Meron locations.

The jury was formed of professionals in the coffee world:

• Sebastian Farcaș: four-time winner of the National Latte Art Championship (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
• Vlad Udrea: founder of Fū Coffee co-founder of Eggcetera, and co-founder of Victor. Fresh to go
• Cristi Oltean: two-time winner of the National Latte Art Championship (2022, 2023), winner of the National Barista Championship (2023), and winner of the National Cup Tasting Championship (2023)

We’re proud to announce this year’s winners:

• Borbely Laszlo – 1st Prize
• Bodnar Emilia Gabriela – 2nd Prize
• Beju Rareș Vasile – 3rd Prize
• Pop Cosmin – 4th Prize
• Lujigan David – 5th Prize
• Denisa-Catalina Novac – 6th Prize
• Rareș Szabo – 7th Prize
• Ion Mereuța – 8th Prize

From exceptional latte art designs to competitive spirits, the night was filled with decisions, debates, and most importantly – fun. It wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of coffee culture and the talent within our community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this event a memorable one. Here’s to more competitions, more creativity, and more coffee-filled moments together!

Credit foto: @Clau Morar, Meron

Images from the 2024 Latte Art Throwdown edition

Images from the 2023 Latte Art Throwdown edition

Images from the 2022 Latte Art Throwdown edition

LATTE ART THROWDOWN by MERON 2024

Pe 6 septembrie 2024, începând cu ora 17:00, are loc o nouă ediție a Competiției Latte Art Throwdown.

Latte art-ul a devenit extrem de popular în coffee shop-urile de specialitate. Mai mult decât atât, este o formă de comunicare și de exprimare a cretivității bariștilor. Latte art-ul nu numai că îmbunătățește experiența vizuală a băuturii din ceașcă, dar și arată abilitățile și pasiunea bariștilor pentru arta cafelei de specialitate.

Latte art-ul necesită multă practică și răbdare pentru a obține rezultatele dorite. În funcție de experiență, dar și îndemânare, un barista poate petrece multe ore perfecționând tehnica de turnare și învățând să manipuleze laptele și espresso-ul pentru a crea modelele dorite. Cu toate acestea, satisfacția de a vedea un model reușit într-o ceașcă de cafea merită efortul depus.

 

06.09.2024, ora 17.00   |   Meron Horea, str. Horea, nr.5, Cluj-Napoca

 

Regulament:

Regulamentul poate fi consultat aici: Regulament Latte Art Throwdown Meron

 

Sumar competiție:

Echipele trebuie constituite din perechi de câte două persoane, astfel că trebuie să existe un număr par de participanți.

Numărul maxim de participanți: 64.

Pentru a forma echipele, numele competitorilor va fi tras la sorți la începutul competiției, iar câștigătorii fiecărei echipe vor concura între ei până la runda finală, când se va alege câștigătorul competiției.

Ceștile în care se va turna vor fi de 200 ml (latte), iar fiecărei turnări îi sunt alocate un slot de maximum 2 minute. Shot-urile vor fi făcute și trase de noi în cești; participanții ocupându-se doar de latte art.

Înainte de începerea competiției, fiecare participant va avea psibilitatea să exerseze o turnare.

 

Înscriere participanți: FORMULAR NOU

 

Achită taxa aici.

 

Premii: 8 premii

Premiul 1:

Trofeul Latte Art Throwdown by Meron
2000 lei + produse

Premiul 2:

1000 lei + produse

Premiul 3:

500 lei + produse

Premiul 4:

400 lei 

Premiul 5:

300 lei 

Premiul 6:

200 lei 

Premiul 7:

100 lei 

Premiul 8:

100 lei 

 

Jurați

Sebastian Farcaș: de 4 ori câștigător la Campionatul Național de Latte Art (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Vlad Udrea: fondator @fucoffeecluj, co-founder @eggcetera.cluj și co-founder @victor.freshtogo.

Cristi Oltean: dublu câștigător la Campionatul Național de Latte Art (2022, 2023), câștigător al Campionatului Național de Barista (2023), câștigător al Campionatului Național de Cup Tasting (2023)

 

Parteneri

Rundă preliminară:

• 64 participanți
• 32 echipe
• Patterns: ROATA patterns
• 32 câștigători

Runda 1:

• 32 participanți
• 16 echipe
• Patterns: ROATA patterns
• 16 câștigători

 

Runda 2:

• 16 participanți
• 8 echipe
• Patterns: ROATA patterns
• 8 câștigători

 

Runda 3:

• 8 participanți
• 4 echipe
• Patterns: ROATA patterns
• 4 câștigători

 

Runda 4:

• 4 participanți;
• 2 echipe;
• Patters: ROATA patterns;
• 2 câștigători

 

Primul competitor cu două victorii din fiecare echipă va merge în finală.

 

FINALA:

• 2 participanți;
• Patterns: ROATA patterns + un pattern surpriză.

 

Câștigătorul Competiției Latte Art Trowdown este primul concurent care acumulează 3 victorii în runda finală.

 

 

 

 

Jurizare:

Băuturile vor fi jurizate în funcție 4 criterii:

1. Echilibru și simetrie

• liniile de divizare sunt curate, uniforme și nu prezintă semne de ezitare;
• elementele individuale se completează unele pe celelalte și creează o armonie împreună.

 2. Infuzia de culoare și definiție

• contrastul dintre albul cremei și culoarea închisă a cremei;
• intenția design-ului este clară și evidentă.

3. Folosirea spațiului din ceașcă

• ceașca este umplută într-un mod plăcut și adecvat;
• design-ul nu este înghesuit în ceașcă și nu lasă senzația de gol sau neterminat;
• există armonie între mărimea ceștii și mărimea design-lui.

4. Impresia generală

• farmecul estetic general;
• băutura nu conține urme de scurgere și ceașca este plină de lichid.

 

Din juriu fac parte trei arbitri. După ce cele două căni de cafea se vor expune pe masa juraților, se va număra până la 3, iar cei trei arbitri vor indica cana câștigătoare.

Pentru jurizarea pattern-ului freestyle se va pune accent pe complexitate, armonie în ceașcă și originalitate.

 

Cod de conduită

     1. Toți participanții, membrii juriului, sponsorii și voluntarii Latte Art Throwdown by Meron agreează cu următorul cod de conduită. Noi, în calitate de organizatori, vom aplica acest cod pe tot parcursul evenimentului. Ne așteptăm la cooperarea tuturor participanților pentru a asigura un mediu sigur pentru toată lumea.

      2. Competiția Latte Art Throwdown by Meron are ca scop oferirea unei experiențe corecte și echitabile pentru fiecare participant, fără hărțuire, indiferent de sex, identitate și expresie de gen, vârstă, orientare sexuală, dizabilități, aspect fizic, dimensiunea corpului, rasă, etnie, religie (sau lipsa acestora) sau alegeri tehnologice. Nu tolerăm hărțuirea participanților sub nicio formă. Limbajul și imaginile sexuale nu sunt adecvate și nici permise atât în cadrul evenimentului, cât și alte discuții, ateliere, petreceri, rețele sociale și alte medii online.

      3. Participanții care încalcă aceste reguli pot fi sancționați sau excluși din competiție fără rambursarea plății înscrierii, la discreția organizatorilor evenimentului.

      4. Participanții cărora li s-a cerut să oprească orice comportament de hărțuire trebuie să se conformeze imediat.

      5. Personalul competiției va fi bucuros să ajute participanții să contacteze organele locale de aplicare a legii.

      6. Ne așteptăm ca participanții să respecte aceste reguli în cadrul competiției, dar și la evenimentele sociale legate de competiție.

 

---

 

EDITIA 2023 IN IMAGINI:

GALERIE FOTO

Credit foto: @Clau Morar, Meron

Memories of Time Gone By / Roxana Ajder @ Meron Gallery

Roxana Ajder invites us on a journey that pays homage to summers past and the memories that define us, beginning on August 16th and continuing until September 12th at Meron Gallery. The exhibition called Memories of Time Gone By is curated by Crina Ciocian.

Nudity plays a central role in the exhibition, serving as more than just a representation of the human body. In the context of Roxana’s work, nudity symbolizes freedom, vulnerability, and the authentic connection between the individual and the surrounding nature. The nudes are not presented as solitary figures but often appear in groups or pairs, emphasizing the interdependence and harmony between people and nature. This aspect adds a profound emotional dimension to the works, suggesting that true freedom and beauty come from complete self-acceptance and a sincere connection with the environment.

The exhibition shows us how past summers can become our emotional refuge. On display, the nudes are not merely human figures but symbols of sharing and connection. Sometimes, they are presented in groups, other times in pairs, but always in a setting that suggests closeness between people, where each is part of a harmonious whole. The images are set against backgrounds that evoke the sea, the forest, or the pool, suggesting various times of the day—from the warm light of dawn to the mysterious shadows of dusk. These backgrounds are not just settings but characters that add depth and emotion to the entire story.

Light and shadow play an essential role in this narrative. Roxana uses variations in light to reflect the passage of time and the subtle changes in emotional states. In each work, the shifts in tones and shades help us experience the fleeting nature of the moment and connect with the past in a profound and personal way. Visitors are invited to observe how morning light can bring optimism and clarity, while evening shadows can evoke melancholy and introspection.

The exhibition “Memories of Time Gone By” is essentially an escape from the everyday. It is a place where time seems to stand still, offering us the chance to contemplate, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves. Visitors will feel as if they have entered a sanctuary of memories, where art is not just a visual representation but a portal to deep emotions and a close connection with nature and the self. Roxana Ajder revives the memories of summers past through a visual narrative that blends nostalgia with natural beauty.

 

About Roxana Ajder

Born in Galați, Romania, in 1991, Roxana Ajder is a contemporary painter who currently lives and works in Cluj-Napoca. Her work addresses themes related to the ambivalent aspects of femininity and beauty in contemporary society. She is particularly interested in the plasticity of the human body. Recalling (neo)expressionist painting gestures combined with feminist discourse, conceptual art, and eroticism, her work explores the relationship between art, nature, and feminine beauty, as well as between historical art models and twentieth-century supermodels. Her works contribute to a deeper understanding of feminine experience and identity. The subject of her paintings lies between the classical nude narrative and immediate physical reality, initiating discussions around stereotypes of idealized and de-idealized femininity while also conveying underlying meanings that evoke distinct ideological codings.

In 2019, Roxana was one of the finalists of the Biennale Jeune Création Européenne and participated in a series of collective exhibitions organized in seven European cities from 2019 to 2021.

The vernissage of the exhibition will take place on August 20, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM, at Meron Gallery in Cluj-Napoca. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open to the public from August 16th to September 12th, 2024.

PANAMA LAMASTUS ELIDA | GESHA | NATURAL ANAEROBIC SLOW-DRY | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

PANAMA LAMASTUS ELIDA | GESHA | NATURAL ANAEROBIC SLOW-DRY

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Panama freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Wilford Lamastus is the owner of Elida Estate, a 300-hectare farm in Boquette, Panama, known for some of the best and rarest coffees in the world. The farm is a true paradise for coffee lovers. Wilford is a passionate and innovative third-generation farmer who has specialized in growing and processing high-quality coffees for over 20 years. Since taking over the farm, he has invested heavily in infrastructure. He built a modern processing laboratory and is constantly improving working conditions for his employees and their families. He invests in schools for employees’ children and in medical care. He is a pioneer in the development of new processing methods and does everything he can to analyze the quality of the coffee and optimize the processing processes. His coffees regularly win prizes at the Best Of Panama auction.

 

About the coffee

Panama Lamastus Elida, a rare Gesha variety coffee processed by anaerobic slow drying, grown at an altitude of 1800 meters in Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama.

Its cultivation is supervised by the Lamastus family, on the Elida farm.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

PANAMA LAMASTUS EL BURRO | GESHA | NATURAL ANAEROBIC SLOW-DRY | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

PANAMA LAMASTUS EL BURRO | GESHA | NATURAL ANAEROBIC SLOW-DRY

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Panama freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Wilford Lamastus is the owner of Elida Estate, a 300-hectare farm in Boquette, Panama, known for some of the best and rarest coffees in the world. The farm is a true paradise for coffee lovers. Wilford is a passionate and innovative third-generation farmer who has specialized in growing and processing high-quality coffees for over 20 years. Since taking over the farm, he has invested heavily in infrastructure. He built a modern processing laboratory and is constantly improving working conditions for his employees and their families. He invests in schools for employees’ children and in medical care. He is a pioneer in the development of new processing methods and does everything he can to analyze the quality of the coffee and optimize the processing processes. His coffees regularly win prizes at the Best Of Panama auction.

 

About the coffee

Panama Lamastus El Burro, a rare Gesha variety coffee, processed by anaerobic slow drying, grown at an altitude of 1800 meters in Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama. Its cultivation is supervised by the Lamastus family, on the El Burro farm.

The natural process provides subtle aromas of cherry blossom, berry jam, pomegranate and red plum.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

ECUADOR FINCA SOLEDAD | TYPICA MEJORADO | SEMI-WASHED | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

ECUADOR FINCA SOLEDAD | TYPICA MEJORADO | SEMI-WASHED

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Ecuador freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Producer Pepe Jijon shifted from a career mountaineering and exploring to settle down to be in touch with the land. He found Finca Soledad, and this is where he says he now finds peace. A few years after acquiring the land, Pepe found coffee, and ever since this has been his love and passion. Finca Soledad overlooks a beautiful valley and is surrounded by a restored forest, and all of this natural wonder curated by nurturing hands, can be tasted in the cups that Pepe produces.

 

About the coffee

Ecuador Finca Soledad, a rare coffee of the Typica Mejorado variety, processed by oxidation and mucilage fermentation for 24 hours, grown at an altitude of 1550 meters in the Intag Valley, Imbabura Province, Ecuador. At Finca Soledad, every single step of the process is carried out with the utmost care and love for nature – day and night. Every lot they produce is unique and an expression of the moment, the energy of the pickers, the balance of the microorganisms in the soil and the weather. Everything works together to create a work of art from nature. For this absolute nano lot of just 25kg, only the ripest and best coffee cherries were carefully picked in December 2023.

The processing offers subtle aromas of roses, cherries, apricot jam and dates.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

PANAMA FINCA DEBORAH GESHA NIRVANA | Specialty Coffee Roasted at Meron

PANAMA FINCA DEBORAH GESHA NIRVANA

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Panama freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Finca Deborah is an estate producer of gourmet, shade-grown Geisha varietal coffee located at 1950+ metres in the mountains of Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama. At an altitude of more than 1900 meters and nestled in the lofty mountains of Volcan, Chiriqui, Finca Deborah is a shade grown Geisha coffee cultivated in a pristine environment. It is one of the highest, most remote coffee farms in all of Panama and, at these altitudes, temperatures can drop to as low as 10 degrees C during the night.

About the coffee

Nirvana starts with the harvest of the ripest cherries, meticulously checked twice before depositing them into hermetically sealed tanks. The anaerobic fermentation begins into these tanks where has been added Nitrogen and extracted oxygen.

Cherries are tanked for an extended period of 50 hours, ph and temperature are constantly monitored. This method permits to enhance unique flavours.

After the period of fermentation, coffee is removed and placed on shaded, raised African beds for 20 days and then packed into grain-pro bags and stored in Bodega where the climate is stable. The reposo (seasoning) is very critical to Finca Deborah’s quality control.

At the end of reposo, coffee is sorted by size, colour and density and it’s finally ready to be vacuum packed in boxes of 15 kg and shipped all around the world.

 

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

ECUADOR FINCA SOLEDAD | TYPICA MEJORADO | SEMI-WASHED | 24H OXIDATION

ECUADOR FINCA SOLEDAD | TYPICA MEJORADO | SEMI-WASHED | 24H OXIDATION | 24H MUCILAGE FERMENTATION

Explore the tasting notes of a single origin specialty coffee sourced from Ecuador freshly roasted in our coffee lab, at Meron Roastery. Here is some cool info about the coffee and the farm.

 

The farm/farmer

Finca Soledad stands at 1,515 masl in a terrace rising above the Intag Valley in the Imbabura province in Ecuador. Surrounded by endemic trees in biodynamic balance the terroir expresses just what nature has to give in full. Pepe listens carefully to the silent language intrinsic to our ecosystem to develop profiles that enhance vibrant and delicate notes. The farm stretches over 120 hectares, eight of which are set aside for the production of various coffee varieties including Typica Mejorada, Caturra, Castillo and Sidra. There are other projected varieties to emerge in due time, namely Geisha.

 

About the coffee

A rare coffee of the Sidra variety, processed with 24-hour oxidation and mucilage fermentation for 72 hours, grown at an altitude of 1550 meters in the Intag Valley, Imbabura Province, Ecuador.

Processed by the washed XTD method, you will find the following tasting notes: white flowers, tropical fruits, berries, and cherries.

Experience exquisite 90+ SCA points coffee roasted in small batches especially for you.

Take a look at the cup profile:

 

Experience the amazing specialty coffee at home. Order your favorites online from our shop.

Meron x Sloane Coffee: A Cocktail Evening

Imagine that you bring together the representative of Romania at the World Spirits Championship, championship cocktails, the Meron community, and a noble cause – about this was our Tuesday evening.

 

During the World of Coffee in Copenhagen last month, we met with the Sloane Coffee team. While discussing Traian’s preparations for the Championship, an idea emerged: to create something cool together. From that spark, it was only a matter of time before we put togehter our a cocktail event.

 

The cocktails we had on the bar:

 

• Lavish

Carrot syrup – acetic acidity, unique carrot sweetness

1800 tequila – lime, agave, caramel

Italicus – citric acidity, bergamot

Osmanthus syrup – jasmine, apricot, plum

Colombia Nestor Lasso Ombligon – violets, blueberry, black currant, cherry, strawberry

 

• Roots in the night 

Spinach water syrup – umami, floral

Mango & Pineapple syrup – malic acidity, tropical

Lavender coldbrew – floral, lavender

Don Julio Anejo tequila – caramel, lime, grapefruit

Lillet rose – orange blossom, grapefruit

Colombia Nestor Lasso Ombligon – violets, blueberry, black currant, cherry, strawberry

 

The event was charitable, and all the proceeds from the purchases were donated to Asociația Păsări.

 

We let here are some moments from our Tuesday evening. We hope this is just the beginning of a new project for us.

 

Location: Meron Coffee, Horea nr. 5, Cluj-Napoca

 

Sensory Skills Foundation

This workshop is intended for anyone interested in developing their sensory skills in coffee analysis and completing a full cupping protocol. As a result, participants will be able to properly analyze each coffee origin, distinguishing between different types of acidity and the main tasting notes found in coffee.

 

The workshop includes a theoretical and a practical part in which we will learn:

– introductory notions about the things we can find in coffee 

– introductory notions about bitterness, acidity, sweetness

– introductory notions about tasting tools and techniques

 

and also a practical part in which we will learn:

– the difference between the main categories of aromas and tastes

– the difference between types of acidity and levels of bitterness

 

At the end there will be a Q&A section.

 

The workshop is held by Cristi Oltean, trainer at Meron. 

Cristi entered the world of specialty coffee 7 years ago and since then he has participated in numerous national and international competitions, such as:

 

• Romania National Latte Art Championship 2018, 3rd place
• Meron Latte Art Throwdown 2019, 1st place
• Romania National Latte Art Championship 2022, 1st place
• Romania National Latte Art Championship 2023, 1st place
• Romania Cup Tasting Championship 2023, 1st place
• Romania Barista Championship 2023, 1st place
• World Latte Art Championship 2023, 16th place

 

Workshop duration: 3 hours

Maximum number of workshop participants: 5

Participation fee: 100 euro/person

Location: Meron, Str. Horea, nr. 5, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

 

The fee includes:

– presence in the workshop;

– all necessary equipment and accessories

– a Meron coffee bag

 

If you are curious about a unique experience, we are waiting your email!

Self and Shadow: Unmasking Contemporary Identity by Claudiu Ciobanu

The exhibition is open for visiting from July 11th to August 16th at Meron Gallery, Horea, no. 5.

Claudiu Ciobanu, a renowned artist whose works are a remarkable testament to his unique vision and deep awareness of contemporary issues, explores the human condition and pressing current themes such as technological advancement. The exhibition “Self and Shadow: Unmasking Contemporary Identity” offers a profound exploration of this theme, inviting visitors on an introspective journey where the boundaries between human and technological blur, and the quest for self-understanding becomes a central narrative.

As visitors step into the exhibition space, they are immediately enveloped in a world where identities are camouflaged, and reality is layered with deep meanings. The journey begins with Claudiu’s evocative paintings, where characters are often hidden behind natural elements such as plants, reflective surfaces like mirrors, or translucent materials. This deliberate obfuscation invites viewers to embark on their own journey of self-exploration, challenging them to question their perceptions and relationships with the world around them.

The central theme of Claudiu Ciobanu’s works is that of camouflaged identities. The characters are presented in a state of concealment, partially masked by vegetation or reflective surfaces. This motif of hidden identities serves as a metaphor for the complex and often obscure nature of self-identity in the modern world.

Claudiu Ciobanu (b. 1984; lives and works in Iași, Romania) is a figurative painter whose recent works are a remarkable testament to his unique vision and deep awareness of contemporary issues. Claudiu Ciobanu uses personal photography and allegorical imagery to explore the human condition and contemporary issues such as climate change, technology, and posthumanism. In his works, he often hides the identity of his characters, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the world around them. His characters, whether camouflaged by plants, mirrors, or hidden behind transparent surfaces, seem to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

1. Sisyphus – oil on canvas, 90x90cm, 2023
2. Reflexie – oil on canvas, 90x70cm, 2021
3. Homo Ludens – oil on canvas, 160x120cm, 2023
4. Quaren Sui – oil on canvas, 100x80cm, 2023
5. Circulus Vitae – oil on canvas, 120x90cm, 2023
6. Veritas – oil on canvas, 120x100cm, 2023
7. Deus Ex Machina – oil on canvas, 150x110cm, 2023
8. Back to Reality – oil on canvas, 120x100cm, 2023
9. Osiris – oil on canvas, 80x90cm, 2023
10. Grădină Secretă – oil on canvas, 100x120cm, 2021
11. Towards the Sun – oil on canvas, 120x100cm, 2023
12. CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) – in collaboration with Erich Lucas, Founder & CEO Dimensional X Studios. To take this exhibition to a new level of interactivity and technological innovation, Meron Gallery collaborated with Dimensional X Studios, a creative studio specializing in special effects and CGI productions for brands. Erich Lukas, the founder of Dimensional X Studios, created a unique animation for the exhibition, which can be seen at Meron Gallery, offering visitors an engaging and innovative experience.

 

The exhibition is open for visiting from July 11th to August 16th at Meron Gallery,  Horea, no. 5.