The Fermentation Project:

The Fermentation Project: Südseite Joins a Global Coffee Fermentation Experience

Südseite Coffee Roasters is one of 120 roasteries worldwide taking part in The Fermentation Project — a new global tasting project examining four distinct fermentation approaches applied to coffees from Guatemala. The project is led by fermentation consultant Lucia Solis and coffee expert James Hoffmann, with sourcing and logistics handled by Caravela. A limited presale of these coffees launches soon — exclusively via suedseite.coffee. We'll announce the date first on Instagram.

What is The Fermentation Project

The Fermentation Project explores a simple question: how much does fermentation actually change what ends up in the cup? Rather than treating fermentation as a fixed, largely uncontrollable step in coffee processing, the project treats it as a variable that can be deliberately studied and controlled.

What makes the project unique: all four coffees come from one and the same lot from Guatemala. Same terroir, same variety, same harvest, same farmers. Only the fermentation differs. That's exactly what makes the comparison so precise — every shift in aroma, every change in acidity, body, or sweetness can be traced directly back to its specific fermentation. No noise from different origins, no distraction from other variables. Just the pure effect of fermentation, cleanly revealed.

Four distinct fermentation approaches were developed for this purpose, each rooted in traditional Guatemalan processing but guided by deliberate, scientific control rather than chance. It's not about novelty for its own sake, but about clarity: roasters and coffee drinkers should experience side by side how fermentation choices affect the very same green coffee.

Who's Behind The Fermentation Project?

Lucia Solis — Fermentation Consultant

Lucia Solis studied viticulture and enology at the University of California, Davis, with a focus on microbiology and fermentation science. She worked in wine production in Napa Valley for nine years before moving into coffee in 2014. Today she is a specialist in coffee fermentation and processing with over 12 years of international experience, having worked with producers in more than 15 countries.

At the center of her work is the idea of treating processing as a strategic, controllable production step — rather than a source of unpredictable variation. She simplifies protocols from fermentation through drying so producers can reliably reproduce a target cup profile. This scientific, reproducible approach is exactly what forms the foundation of The Fermentation Project.

James Hoffmann


James Hoffmann is a coffee professional, author, and one of the most recognized voices in the specialty coffee scene. In 2007, he won the World Barista Championship and has since built an influential body of work — including his YouTube channel, books, and international projects. He is especially known for making technically demanding coffee topics genuinely accessible.


Caravela

Caravela has been active in Guatemala since 2016 and has built long-term relationships with 23 coffee-growing communities — through three local stations and a team active on the ground year-round. As the project's sourcing partner, Caravela contributes its expertise in green coffee processing, quality control, and international logistics, ensuring the coffees make their way from origin to roasteries around the world.

Presale is live

A limited presale of the Fermentation Project coffees will run exclusively on suedseite.coffee. We haven't locked the date yet — the announcement will go out on our Instagram first, so that's the fastest way to know the moment it opens.

Don't want to miss it?

  • Follow @suedseite.coffee on Instagram for the announcement.
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FAQ

  • The Fermentation Project is a global coffee tasting event exploring four distinct fermentation approaches applied to coffee grown in Guatemala, led by fermentation consultant Lucia Solis and coffee educator James Hoffmann, with sourcing and logistics by Caravela.

  • The project was developed by fermentation consultant Lucia Solis together with James Hoffmann, in partnership with Caravela, which handles green coffee sourcing and distribution from Guatemala.

  • All coffees in the project are grown in Guatemala, sourced through Caravela's network of 23 coffee-growing communities that it has worked with since 2016.

  • Yes. Südseite Coffee Roasters, a specialty coffee roastery in Heidelberg, Germany, was invited to take part as one of the roasters exploring these coffees, and will offer a presale of the coffees on suedseite.coffee.

  • The presale date hasn't been announced yet. Südseite will post the announcement on Instagram (@suedseite.coffee) first, and the presale itself will run on suedseite.coffee.

  • Lucia Solis is a coffee fermentation and processing specialist with a background in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and nine years in Napa Valley wine production before moving into coffee in 2014. She has worked with producers in more than 15 countries over 12+ years.

  • James Hoffmann is an award-winning coffee professional, author, and educator who won the World Barista Championship in 2007 and is widely known for his educational YouTube channel and books on specialty coffee.