We taste: Mandarin, Apricot, Ginger, Pineapple
Region: San Agustin, Huila
Varietal: Sidra
Altitude: 1750-2000 MASL
Harvest: November 2023
Process: Washed
Next roast & ship date: April 29th
We are really happy to share this lot of Sidra from Esnaider Ortega and Diego Leguizamo. Sidra is a lovely variety with very expressive and unique flavors. This lot is quite fruity and botanical which we find common with washed Sidras. We are finding a juicy aroma of mandarin and yellow fruit with flavors of spiced apricot, ginger, and lovely florals.
We are so happy to share this coffee, not only because of the quality we find in the cup but because of the amazing people that produced it.
Esnaider's farm, La Esperanza sits at 1750 MASL in La Muralla. He is a founding member of Monkaaba, the producer-led initiative in San Agustin whom we buy almost all of our Colombian coffees from. He is one of the hardest working people we know. The impact he has had on his community is undeniable. His Sidra is also one of the best coffees coming from the group!
Esnaider spent years as the head cupper for a major exporting company, and after seeing how the current system of coffee buying worked and how limiting it was in terms of education for producers, he decided along with the help of family and friends to start Monkaaba with the goal of educating producers on all things specialty coffee. From teaching best processing and picking practices, to learning to cup and evaluate coffee, all so that small holders could have more autonomy over the sale of their coffee.
Diego's farm, La Hormiga, sits at 2000 MASL in El Tabor. He is another founding member of Monkaaba and brings years of experience to the group. His father was a past Cup of Excellence winner, and only last year did Diego step out of his fathers shadow to sell coffee under his own name as well as his wife, Karol Ortega. Diego and Karol helped pitch in financially to allow Monkaaba to open up a roasting and cupping lab which has been essential to the development of this program.
Both farms are incredibly small, Esnaider's being only .25 hectares with 400 Sidra trees and Diego with just .5 hectares. The two opted to blend their Sidra lots as each were too small to make an exportable amount.
Processing Details:
Cherries are collected every 2 weeks at peak ripeness and then fermented in cherry for 24 hours. The cherries are then de-pulped and dry-fermented for 36 hours. The coffee is washed 4 times and then left to drain for 6 hours before being turned out on raised beds for 18 days.
Price Breakdown:
Farm Gate Price: 4,200,000 Colombian Pesos / Carga
FOB Price: $5.42/LB
Our Price: $8.00/LB