WE DISPATCH COFFEES ON FRIDAY, WITH CUTOFF ON THE PRECEEDING WEDNESDAY
LYCHEE
Flavour notes: LYCHEE, VANILLA, and CARAMEL
Lychee is a bright, fruit-driven coffee with intense sweetness, elevated acidity, and a smooth finish.
This is a modern, expressive take on washed Castillo, an 88.75-point microlot from Jairo Arcila, processed at Finca Santa Mónica using controlled anaerobic fermentation followed by a washed finish. A 48-hour dry anaerobic fermentation with added lychee introduces a vivid fruit character, while the washed stage keeps the cup structured and clear. Expect pronounced lychee aromatics alongside notes of vanilla, caramel, and fresh lime, supported by lively acidity and balanced sweetness.
Built for curious brewers seeking something distinctive without sacrificing clarity, this coffee performs beautifully across brewing methods. On filter, its aromatics and citrus lift are most expressive, delivering a bright, layered cup that feels fresh and dynamic. As espresso, the sweetness and fruit intensity translate well with an almost syrupy texture.
Despite its experimental processing, the cup stays approachable and well structured. The fermentation elevates flavour without dominating it, allowing the Castillo variety’s natural balance to come through. We chose this coffee for the precision and intention behind its processing - a clear example of innovation used thoughtfully.
If you’re looking for a fruit-forward, experimental coffee that still delivers clarity and structure, this is one well worth spending time with.
Producer
This coffee was grown by Jairo Arcila at Finca Santa Mónica, located in Armenia, Quindío, Colombia, at an altitude of 1,450-1,500 metres. The farm benefits from volcanic ash soils, moderate temperatures between 18-28°C, and annual rainfall of 1,800-2,000 mm, creating ideal conditions for producing high-quality, flavour-driven coffees.
Jairo Arcila is widely recognised for his work with experimental processing and consistent microlot quality. At Santa Mónica, cherries are handled with precision from harvest through drying. For this lot, the coffee underwent a 48-hour dry anaerobic fermentation, during which lychees were added to the sealed environment to guide flavour development. After fermentation, the coffee was gently washed and dried on raised beds at temperatures below 35°C until optimal moisture content was reached, preserving aromatics and ensuring stability.
This microlot is 100% Castillo, a variety developed by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros for its productivity and resistance to coffee leaf rust. At Finca Santa Mónica, Castillo is used as a foundation for innovative processing approaches, demonstrating how thoughtful fermentation can unlock expressive flavour while maintaining balance, clarity, and structure.
Product information
Our coffee bags use eco paper, which can be processed like normal paper. Simply separate the tin tie from the bag, and put both straight into the recycling.
Please see the top of this page for information on when your order will be shipped. We use Royal Mail 48 as standard.
As coffee is a perishable product, we are unable to offer returns.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee
What are the different coffee categories: Benchmark, Exceptional, Future and Competition?
Our Benchmark coffees are reliable, classic profiles that consistently deliver exactly what you’d expect. They’re approachable, easy to dial in, and perfect for everyday brewing - the kind of coffees you can happily return to again and again.
Our Exceptional coffees are bright, expressive, and full of character. These are the lots that surprise us, excite us, and remind us why we fell in love with coffee in the first place.
Our Future coffees sit at the edge of discovery. From pioneering processing methods to cutting-edge coffee genetics, these lots offer a glimpse into where coffee is headed next.
Our Competition coffees push boundaries. Rare, complex, and meticulously honed, these are standout lots we believe have the potential to shine on the competition stage
What coffee should I buy for espresso vs filter?
All of our coffees are omni-roasted, meaning they’re designed to perform beautifully as both espresso and filter. Rather than roasting for a single brew method, we focus on highlighting the coffee’s character and sweetness across different brewing styles.
How is your coffee roasted?
We roast most of our coffees as omni roasts, designed to work beautifully across different brew methods. Our focus is always on clarity and balance, highlighting the coffee’s natural character while keeping it clean, expressive, and enjoyable.
How long should I rest your coffee for?
Rest time can vary depending on the coffee and your personal taste, but as a general guide we recommend allowing at least 7 days of rest before brewing. Our coffees typically taste at their best for up to 5 weeks after roasting.
How can I recycle your packaging?
Our coffee bags should be recycled with soft plastics. Many large supermarkets offer soft plastic recycling collection points.
Is your coffee ethically sourced?
Yes. We work directly with some of the best coffee producers in the world, many of whom we know personally. We’re careful to ensure responsible practices throughout the supply chain, from the farm all the way to your cup.
Orders
I’d like to amend or cancel my order
We process orders quickly, so changes or cancellations aren’t always possible. If you need to make an update, contact our team on roastery@formative.coffee as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to help.
There’s an error with my order
Email us at roastery@formative.coffee with your order number and a brief description of the problem, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Dispatch
When will my coffee be dispatched?
We roast and dispatch orders every Friday. The cut-off for orders is midnight on the preceding Wednesday.
How long will my coffee take to arrive?
We ship all orders via Royal Mail 24 Tracked. Deliveries typically arrive within 1–2 working days after dispatch.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is £3.45 for orders under £50. Orders over £50 qualify for free shipping. Subscriptions of any amount qualify for free shipping too.
Do you ship internationally?
At the moment, we only ship within the UK and do not offer international shipping.
How do I track my order?
You’ll receive a tracking number once Royal Mail collects and processes your order from our roastery. This usually happens on Fridays, our dispatch day.
Tracking says “delivered” but my delivery hasn’t arrived
Royal Mail usually provides proof of delivery with the “delivered” notification email. If you’re still unable to locate your parcel, please contact us at roastery@formative.coffee and we’ll be happy to help.
Subscriptions
How do subscriptions work?
You can subscribe to one of our Benchmark coffees and receive the same reliable, classic coffee on a schedule - every 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks.
You can also subscribe to our Exceptional category. With this option, we select a standout coffee from our Exceptional range and deliver it to you on your chosen schedule. These coffees are exclusively sourced for the Exceptional subscription and not available for one-off buyers.
How often do you rotate the Exceptional subscription coffee?
We select and source a new coffee for the Exceptional subscription each calendar month.
What are the perks of subscribing to Formative Coffee?
Benchmark Subscriptions (Choc Nuts, Berry Jam and Decaf):
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Free shipping on every subscription delivery
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Discounted rate compared to one-off purchases
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Early access to pre-order Future and Competition coffees before they’re released to the wider public
Exceptional subscriptions:
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Free shipping on every subscription delivery
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Access to exclusive coffees sourced specifically for Exceptional subscribers
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Early access to pre-order Future and Competition coffees before they’re released to the wider public
How long will my subscription take to be delivered?
We roast and dispatch coffee every Friday. Your subscription will be dispatched on the Friday after your order is processed. All orders are shipped via Royal Mail 24 Tracked and typically arrive within 1-2 working days.
When will I be charged for my subscription?
You’ll be charged on the day you subscribe, and then automatically on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis from that date.
How can I pause or cancel my subscription?
You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your subscription portal. Simply use the link provided in your subscription confirmation email to manage your deliveries.
How do I amend my subscription delivery frequency?
Simply email us at roastery@formative.coffee and we’ll be happy to help.
Why can’t I subscribe to the Future and Competition categories?
Coffees in our Future and Competition categories are extremely rare and often produced in very small, high-demand microlots. Because we can’t guarantee consistent availability, these coffees aren’t suitable for a subscription model.
However, subscribers do receive priority access to pre-order these coffees before they’re officially released on our website.
I can’t access the subscription portal
Contact our team on roastery@formative.coffee as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to help.
Gift Cards
How do digital gift cards work?
Our digital gift cards can be purchased directly on our website at formative.coffee in values ranging from £10–£100.
If you'd like to purchase a gift card for an amount larger than £100, please contact us via roastery@formative.coffee
Please note: This gift card is only redeemable for coffee orders placed through the Formative website. It cannot be used in the Formative Shop.
Looking for something they can use in the shop instead?
Explore our Formative Shop Gift Card.
Do you sell physical gift cards?
We currently offer digital gift cards only and do not sell physical gift cards.
Partnership coffee
If you'd like to buy this coffee for your business, read more about our partnership options, or get in touch.