This micro lot comes from César Aroca, whose farm El Mirador (the lookout) is located high above the Magdalena River Valley in Colombia’s Tolima region.
Between 1600 and 2100 metres above sea level and in the small rural neighbourhood of Vista Hermosa, El Mirador is a member of the small Coagrivida cooperative in Planadas.
César’s crop is made up of Caturra and Variedad Colombia, a hybrid of Castillo that’s grown due to its resistance to the la roya leaf rust fungus. The crop was washed for approximately 18 hours before drying it over the course of 15 to 18 days.
Planadas is the southernmost municipality of Tolima. It sits in the eastern slopes of Colombia’s central cordillera, above the Magdalena River Valley, and boasts average temperatures of 20° celcius.
Much of the coffee farming in this area takes place in partial shade, often provided by güamo (ice cream bean), nogal cafetero (Spanish Elms) and cacao.
Planadas has found itself at the centre of ongoing civil unrest, particularly with Colombian militant group FARC’s famed stronghold Las Hermosas being nearby, the area around Planadas is often unreachable to outsiders.
An unusual Colombian
This is another Colombian coffee that’s exceptionally sweet and light-bodied. If you’re not tasting that in your brew try grinding a little more finely, or leave a private brew note with details of how you’re brewing and we’ll be able to help you get your coffee tasting delicious.
