In the southern part of the Tolima department, nestled in the mountains at the far edge of the municipality of Planadas, we meet Elias Quilcue Apio and his family. He lives and farms in an area that belongs to the indigenous Paez community. Elias has been involved in coffee farming since 2002 on his farm, El Diviso. Around 2019, inspired by a local association and through workshops, he made the shift to specialty coffee. This transition not only improved the quality of his coffee but also enhanced his quality of life and allowed him to upgrade his farm infrastructure.
On his farm, Elias also grows produce for local consumption, all cultivated organically with a deep respect for the environment. In his spare time, he enjoys weaving and crafting artisanal objects. He takes great pride in his farm—its rich biodiversity, water sources, and the surrounding green mountains. Elias is especially proud of his cultural heritage and often shares stories of his grandparents, who were indigenous healers that lived on the farm and treated people with natural remedies.
Elias processes his coffee with care and precision. It begins with the selection of ripe cherries, which then undergo an in-cherry fermentation for 20 to 24 hours in bags. The cherries are then floated to remove less dense beans and any foreign material such as leaves or twigs. Next, they are pulped without water, and the beans are fermented in black bags for 100 to 120 hours. After fermentation, the beans are washed twice. Drying is carried out in parabolic-covered patios for 20 to 25 days, depending on the weather conditions.
