Coffee became popularised by a boom in exports from the Indonesian island of Java in the early 18th century. This early milestone in the global coffee trade, thanks to the island’s ideal growing conditions, not only helped introduce the world to coffee; it also resulted in such popularity that today the term ‘java’ is still a nickname for coffee in general. In the 20th century, the name was adopted for a variety of coffee that was transplanted from Ethiopia to Cameroon, and then introduced in Latin America in the 1990s.

This particular Java coffee was grown in the mountainous region of Valle del Cauca, in Colombia. Produced and processed at Finca La Julia, a family-owned farm in Trujillo that has produced high-quality lots of coffee since the 1990s. We’ve enjoyed many lots from this famous estate over the last decade. Situated at 1,420–1,700 masl, the farm is surrounded by a rich biodiversity, and is run by second-generation coffee growers, siblings Niko and Karo. Dried naturally, with a 120-hour, cold-soaked anaerobic fermentation to highlight the Java variety’s aromatic and fruity potential, this coffee was lightly roasted by Origin, who sourced it with help from our friends at Sabores.

Phaedon's tasting notes

This coffee's flavour is quite uncanny. At first sip, it's reminiscent of what you might expect from a high-quality natural—fruity and sweet with plenty of body and perhaps some dark berry flavours—but as you drink more you start to pick up some other, less common notes. In my notes, I described what I was tasting as "warm spices" but my friends at Origin may have hit it on the head with nutmeg. There's also quite a lovely brown sugar sweetness to accompany this interesting medley of flavours. I found this coffee needed immersion to show all its flavour complexity and had particular success with filtered immersion brews like the AeroPress and siphon.

Origin’s notes

• Flavours: Nutmeg, vanilla, litchi, cocoa, tropical fruit, spices
• Body: Round, creamy
• Acidity: Tangy citrus
• Roast: Light 
• Brewing: AeroPress, Chemex, siphon, espresso & milk-based

Coffee details from Origin

“Java is an Arabica variety grown in Colombia at high altitudes (often around 1,400–1,750 metres above sea level). The beans tend to be oblong in shape and are known for producing expressive, aromatic coffees. In cups from Colombian lots of Java, depending on processing and roast, flavour notes can include spices, tropical fruit, cocoa, nutmeg, vanilla, litchi, and a chocolate-like base — a profile that aligns with broader descriptions of Java’s potential.”

• Owner: Nicolas Ocampo
• Farm: Finca La Julia
• Origin: Trujillo, Valle Del Cauca
• Country: Colombia
• Altitude: 1,700 masl
• Variety: Java
• Processing: Natural