We tend to be pretty big fans of all the coffees that our friends at Rosetta Roastery release, but over time we’ve come to be particularly enthusiastic about their Colombian lots. We’ve enjoyed some especially delicious Colombian coffees in recent years, and many of them have specifically been washed process coffees from Colombia’s Huila region. This is one such lot.

Huila is a renowned coffee-producing region found in the southwest of Colombia. Its geography is punctuated by the Andean mountains, whose altitude, climate and volcanic soil provide excellent growing conditions for top-quality coffee. Coffee farming forms part of the local tradition, too. Many Huilan farms are small-scale, family-run operations passed down over generations, and coffee is thus tied closely to the area’s cultural heritage. These small family farms typically process their coffee at a local mill that serves multiple other farms in the same region. You can therefore be sure that when you buy specialty Colombian coffee, its flavours will be faithfully characteristic of the area that it’s from.

Coffees that undergo a traditional washed process have their skin and fruit removed, or “washed” off as the name suggests, prior to being left to dry. Where a natural processed coffee bean would absorb some of the fruity sweetness of the surrounding cherry during the drying process, for washed coffees the flavour starts and ends with the sugars and nutrients contained in the bean. The flavours that end up in the coffee bean and therefore in your cup are attributable to the coffee’s terroir, farming conditions and methods, and variety, and tend to come out brightly and clearly.

While Colombia has earned significant notoriety in recent years for cutting-edge experimental processing methods, it does also have a much longer history of superb washed coffees. Washed Colombian lots are particularly beloved in the world of specialty coffees, and are typically full-bodied, balanced and sweet. As is usually the case with Rosetta’s washed Colombian coffees, we’re really excited to try this one out.

Phaedon's tasting notes

For me, this is an archetypal washed coffee from Huila. Its beauty is in its balance and clarity in the cup. It offers a bit of syrupy sweetness, a touch of maltiness, a hint of malolactic acidity. The component parts of the flavour are not what make this coffee enjoyable though, but rather the much greater sum of each of those experiences. It's just a very pleasant coffee to drink when you brew it just right, which I managed to do with my moka pot, siphon, and even my Chemex.

Rosetta's notes

Style: Classic
Flavour profile: Clean and elegant, sticky toffee apple, black tea finish

"Intensely sweet and beautifully crisp acidity - hallmarks of coffees sourced from Colombia, making our main objective when roasting this lot to maximise sweetness as much as possible without compromising on clarity. When roasting, an extended development time unlocks that extra layer of sweetness that sets this coffee apart. With its easy-drinking quality and seamless milk pairing, this coffee is an excellent choice for savouring and enjoying all day long.

"We start the roaster at a high charge temperature, making use of a little extra high thermal momentum to kickstart the roasting process and drive away free moisture. This coffee offers wonderful versatility and can be enjoyed as an espresso or filtered."

Coffee details from Rosetta

"Orlando Beltran was raised on a coffee farm. He carries forward his family's legacy and a tradition shared by numerous relatives. Being able to provide for his family through coffee farming, particularly in giving his daughter the opportunity to be able to study, is the most rewarding aspect.

"His farm, Pan de Azúcar, covers 3.5 hectares, half of which is occupied by forested mountains.The farm benefits an advantageous position, with access to water directly from the mountain range."

• Producer: Orlando Beltran of Pan de Azúcar farm
• Region: Huila
• Country: Colombia
• Variety: Colombia, Bourbon
• Altitude: 1600 - 1700m ASL
• Processing: Washed
• Harvest: 2023