Nariño

Nariño is characterized by steep slopes, and extremely high altitudes as well as a unique climate. Warm, humid air makes its way up from the valleys during the evening hours, allowing for coffee to be grown at higher altitudes than in the rest of Colombia, without risk of frost. The volcanic soil is rich in nutrients and is well-drained..

Gesha

The famed and highly sought-after Gesha variety is originally from Ethiopia. It was transported to Latin America in the 1950s where it was noted for its tolerance to leaf rust. In 2005, the variety was "rediscovered" when it won that year's Best of Panama competition. Since then, it has gone on to break price records at auction year after year and has been planted by farmers across Latin America in hopes of securing high prices.

The variety itself is highly demanding, and it requires high elevations in order to really deliver the exceptional floral, jasmine and stone fruit cup characteristics it is so famous for. There are actually a number of genetically distinct varieties that carry the name Gesha, and most have been traced back to Landraces from the same geographic area in Ethiopia.

Washed Carbonic Maceration

For this Geisha lot, only fully ripe cherries, displaying a deep wine-red color and an average Brix level of 22°B, are meticulously harvested. The cherries undergo a floatation process to remove any impurities. Afterwards, the cherries are depulped and are transferred to a bioreactor, where the coffee is submerged for 48 to 55 hours. For the first 12 hours, the machine operates in oxidation mode, and afterwards switches to carbonic maceration. Frank monitors the pH levels, aiming for a 3.6 pH and 9° Brix before concluding the fermentation and moving to the drying stage. The drying process occurs on raised beds for about 17 days. Once this period is complete and that the coffee stabilizes, the beans are dried on plastic tarps on a patio to finish the process and reach a moisture level of 10 to 11%. After drying, the parchment is transferred to storage in Latinatech bags and burlap sacks, where it is carefully stacked on pallets before leaving for the dry mill.