Grand Hyatt’s Coffee Tasting Experience with Henry& Sons and Port of Mokha Launching

Grand Hyatt – Bonifacio Global City ( BGC) in partnership with homegrown coffee company’s Henry and Sons owned by the 2019 Philippine National Barista Champion Michael Harris Conlin collaborates with the coffee innovator and advocate Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali to have the Filipinos taste the high-rating coffee from Yemen, Port of Mokha.

Coffee Exploration

The coffee tasting and launching was dubbed” Coffee Exploration ” was held the 6th floor pavilion area.

Grand Hyatt general manager

Despite the monsoon rains and overcast weather in Metro Manila, It was well-attended by coffee connoisseurs, industry practitioners, bloggers, vloggers and media.

The event started past 9:00 am with a special introduction by Ms. Karmina De Ungria ( director of Marketing Communications) and Grand Hyatt general manager BGC, Taguig City.

Mr. Micheal Harris Conlin

This was followed by a short introduction made by Mr. Micheal Harris Conlin which tells an inspiring story on how he purchased  the book with life story of Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali. Their year long friendship and sharing of their passion over a cup of coffee.

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali

Coffee Tasting Experience

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali  shared with the participants a short history of coffee and how it spread from Yemen and Somalia to the rest of the world. He also shared that the country ( Philippines) used to be one of the top 4 coffee producing countries of the world during the 18th and 19th century.

His passion led him to visit his home country Yemen and he went through several coffee producing areas.  Out of the 21 coffee bean samples that he were able to get from Yemen, only 2 or 3 samples were of the highest international quality.

The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers

The event highlights about the journey of the man who risked his own life to help improve the lives of the farmers and the quality of coffee in Yemen amidst all the hardships that the country is facing. His story is filled with passion and bravery that the Philippine coffee community can draw inspiration from.

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali together with Mr. Raoul de Peralta

Coffee Beans

coffee with cookies

The group were given a first hand experience on how to taste different kinds of grounded coffee from Yemen.

OHE-17– Location : Outer Hyma, Process: Udaini, Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Dark Cherry Sweetness, Green Apple Acidity, Medium Body and Acidity.

OHSR 01– Location : Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini,  Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL , Cupping Notes: Brown Sugar, Spices, Medium Body and Acidity

OHE-32– Location: Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini, Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Dark Cherry, Cola, Molasses, Medium Body , High Acidity

OHE -25 – Location: Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini, Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Lime , Grapes, Medium Body and Acidity

OHSR -PB -Location : Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini,Altitude : 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Winey, Toasted Almonds, Cocoa , Hint of Jack fruit, Medium Body and Low Acidity

PM- 11– Location : Hayma Sana ‘A province, Process: Natural, Cultivar : Udaini, Altitude : 2,350 MASL, Cupping Notes: Floral, Apple,Cola, Lime, Low Body, Medium and Acidity

O-HSR-24 -Location: Outer Hayma, Process: Natural, Cultivar: Udaini, Altitude: 2,150 to 2,400 MASL, Cupping Notes: Brown Spice, Nutmeg, Medium to Low Acidity and Medium Body.

Chocolate Mocha Cake

mocha cake

Grand Hyatt pastry chef had their own innovation or version with the combination of chocolate, coffee and their artistic talents in baking.

Florentine

slice of cake together with cup of coffee

Mr. Mokhtar Alkanshali together with Mr. Raoul de Peralta busy pouring coffee

The cake which cost Php 1,500 or Php 200 per slice is also best paired with coffee. One can also purchase Port of Mokha x Itogon coffee bean canister and the national best selling book ( The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers) for Php 8,500 net. at the Florentine area, Grand Hyatt-Manila ( Bonifacio Global City).