Huila

Of the many growing regions in Colombia, the mountainous department of Huila in the south west of the country grows the most coffee. Huila enjoys a wide diversity of micro-climates, temperatures, altitudes and coffee varieties. In fact, coffee is grown in 35 of Huila's 37 municipalities. All of this means that the coffee coming out of this region is as diverse as the variables that influence its production.

Field Blend

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.

Genetic testing done by World Coffee Research classifies Sidra as an Ethiopian Landrace Variety. There is some indication that there is more than one genetically distinct variety being called Sidra in Ecuador. Sidra is famed for its floral structure, deep sweetness and prominent acidity.

Initially thought to be a natural hybrid of Red and Yellow Bourbon, this variety, famed for its characteristically pink ripened cherries and equally unique flavour characteristics, has become highly sought after. It has now been genetically confirmed that Pink Bourbon is in fact an Ethiopian Landrace variety. On our trips to Colombia, we've seen the variety proliferate across Colombia, particularly in Huila, where it has become extremely popular amongst specialty focused coffee producers.

Washed

This winning lot underwent a double fermentation. First, the intact cherries were fermented in a hopper for 60 hours, before being de-pulped, and then dry-fermented for an additional 40 hours. The coffee was then laid out to dry in a parabolic greenhouse-style dryer on raised beds for 15 to 20 days.