Colombia - Azahar x Covoya - Amparo Micaela Botina

Rainier cherry, sweet, clean, bright
TOP LOT
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Bag Weight 70 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2025/26
Status Spot
Lot Number P614079-1
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About This Coffee

From our friends at Azahar:

Amparo Moncayo de Botina and Edmundo Botina have been married for over 40 years. They both came from farming families and after they got married, she inherited the land they now farm on. Edmundo wanted to continue farming fique, a plant similar to agave that is cultivated for its strong natural fibers. But Amparo had always loved coffee and wanted to turn both their fincas, El Encinal and Los Arrayanes, into coffee plantations. Don Edmundo recalls that people often ask him about his coffee, and he always defers to Amparo, for she is the actual coffee farmer. He still prefers fique and at El Encinal they have a two dozen or so healthy plants that create natural walls around their coffee trees. Amparo is also a leading cuy (guinea pig) farmer in their community and uses her animals' manure as an organic fertilizer for her coffee.

El Encinal is the higher of the two farms, situated between 1,900 and 1,950 m.a.s.l. Located on the main road that runs through the vereda of La Caldera, in the municipality of Pasto. From the steep hillside where the Caturra trees are planted, one can look down into the valley below and just barely make out the Botina family's other farm, where they also grow coffee. This lot is an ensemble of Caturra, Castillo and Colombia varieties that undergoes fermentation for 20-24 hours,before washing and a drying phase on parabolic dryers and patios, lasting around 15 days to achieve optimal flavor and quality.

Country of Origin Colombia
Region Pasto, Narino
Producer Type Single Estate
Farm Name El Encinal
Processing Washed
Processing Description 24hr fermentation, sun-dried on patios & parabolic dryers
Growing Altitude 1900m - 1950m
Harvest Season 2025/26
Bag Weight 70 KG BAG
Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Castillo, Caturra, 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 Pasto, Narino
  • Farm Name El Encinal
  • Producer Type Single Estate
  • Processing Washed
  • Processing Description 24hr fermentation, sun-dried on patios & parabolic dryers
  • Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Castillo, Caturra, Colombia
  • Min Growing Altitude 1900m
  • Max Growing Altitude 1950m
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot Yes
  • Status Spot
  • Coffee Grade COL CA WA EXCO EP10
  • CTRM Contract Number P614079-1
  • Country of Origin Colombia
  • Warehouse The Annex CA