La Piña – Khomanta Roasted Coffee

Khomanta, which means hug or embrace in the ancient Peruvian language of Aymara, is a new coffee roaster based in Kansas City, Missouri. They have an amazing story and a mission that is much grander than just making money selling great coffee. They have an amazing profit-sharing program where “30% of Khomanta’s profits from all bags sold under a specific coffee producer’s label goes right back into that producer’s pockets: straight to the farmer, straight to their farm, and straight to their families.”¹ It is one of the most ambitious programs I have heard of where roasters are giving back to the original producers. It is an amazing mission and one that I feel proud supporting.

Now, even with a great mission, the coffee needs to taste excellent to sell well. They currently have two Peruvian coffees available—La Piña and El Manantial, both of which were great, well-balanced and well-rounded coffees. In this review I focused on the former, La Piña.

The coffee beings with a layered and complex aroma of almonds and some sweetness. In the flavor I tasted dried fruit and some floral notes. The coffee has a nice underlying sweetness that becomes more pronounced as the coffee cools. It has a muted acidity that presents itself more in the aftertaste and a delicate tea-like body.

It is a really well-balanced and approachable coffee that has a wonderful layering of flavors and complexity without being overwhelming.

The Bottom Line

I love the mission of Khomanta. The coffee industry needs more companies like them that push the limits of giving back to farmers and producers; they are a company I’m proud to support. They are more than just a social-conscious company though. They are a great roaster producing some delicious coffees. I can’t wait to see what other coffees they come out with in the coming months.