Colombia Huila - El Triunfo Community Lot

Chocolate, grape, mandarin orange, cherry, toffee
TOP LOT
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Bag Weight 70 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2023/24
Status Spot
Lot Number P611601-2
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About This Coffee

This community lot from the El Triunfo area, brought to us by our friends at Azahar Coffee, is made up of seelctions from two farms, Beimar Becerra's Finca el Guamito in Palermo, Huila, and Ederleth Lozano's Finca Cosita Linda in Algeciras.

Beimar Becerra comes from a long line of coffee producers. Both his grandfathers, as well as his father grew coffee in Palermo. Beimar was raised on a coffee farm and when he was eleven years-old his family moved to another plot of land, in the ladera, the hillsides. Although the town of Palermo is only thirty minutes from Neiva, this municipality where coffee-producing is the local’s pride and an important inheritance for many (it is also known for its marble and gold mines), Beimar’s finca El Guamito is located an hour and forty minutes from the capital, by motorcycle. El Guamito spans a total surface area of six hectares, four of which are planted with Castillo.

Azahar has been buying Ederleth Lozano’s coffee for over seven years now, visiting her many times. Her finca Cosita Linda is actually her own personal lot which is part of a bigger farm, where each of her family members cultivates their own micro plot. Ederleth works alongside her husband Alfonso Zambrano, their son Guery and his wife, who is training to become a barista. When Ederleth first bought her plot, it was overgrown with tall grasses. With the help of Guery, she cleared the overgrowth
and started planting the Castillo and Caturra varieties in its place. Today, Ederleth has close to 12,000 trees, which she fertilizes with homemade organic compost. 

Country of Origin Colombia
Region Huila
Producer Type Small Holder Farmers
Farm Name El Guamito & Cosita Linda
Processing Washed
Processing Description 24-36hr fermentation, dried on raised beds and rotary dryers
Growing Altitude 1800m - 1900m
Harvest Season 2023/24
Bag Weight 70 KG BAG
Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Castillo, Colombia

History of Colombian Coffee 

As with many coffee origins, it is believed that coffee was first brought to Colombia by priests, arriving, perhaps, within a decade or two after coffee first came to the Americas via the Caribbean in the first half of the 17th century. It was likely a garden crop grown for local consumption and barter for decades. Unlike other coffee regions, we have the story of a priest named Francisco Romero, who could be called the father of commercial coffee cultivation in Colombia. The folkloric tale goes that in the early 1800’s, Father Francisco, hearing confessions in the north eastern town of Salazar de la Palmas, assigned planting coffee to his parishioners as penance for their sins. The Archbishop of Colombia heard about this and ordered all priests to adopt the practice. Commercial production of coffee expanded quickly, moving into regions where the growing conditions were ideal. 

Growing Coffee in Colombia 

Even though it’s been 4,000 years, the soil resulting from the last major eruption of Tolima is still considered “young soil,” filled with nutrients that are no longer found at the same levels in old soil. There is a long list of elements on offer in volcanic soil that are fading or absent in other soils, such as high levels of potassium and nitrogen. Also present is something called “Boron,” which arrived from outer space a long time ago, and is important to cell walls, the creation of enzymes, and the production of flowers and fruit, meaning Boron contributes to yield. Beyond the nutrients, the structure of volcanic soil is also beneficial to coffee growing. It can soak up and hold moisture while, at the same time, facilitate good drainage so water doesn’t pool, which is not good for coffee plant roots. Coffee plants like to take a drink, then take a break. Also, volcanic soils are usually found on an incline, which also helps with drainage. 

  • Region Huila
  • Farm Name El Guamito & Cosita Linda
  • Producer Type Small Holder Farmers
  • Processing Washed
  • Processing Description 24-36hr fermentation, dried on raised beds and rotary dryers
  • Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Castillo, Colombia
  • Min Growing Altitude 1800m
  • Max Growing Altitude 1900m
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot Yes
  • Status Spot
  • Coffee Grade COL CA WA EXCO EP10
  • CTRM Contract Number P611601-2
  • Country of Origin Colombia
  • Warehouse Continental NJ