Coffee cultivation in Colombia began in the early 19th century. Its wide range of micro-climates means harvests vary in flavour but also carry on throughout the calendar year. In Southwest Antioquia the mountain village of Jardín is situated along elevation profiles up to 2,200 metres above sea level. This narrow valley’s climate produces steady rain and a moderate humidity; it also maintains cool temperatures, ideal for the slow ripening of coffee cherries. 

Cafexport is an organisation with coffee cooperatives throughout Colombia, including farms in Antioquia. At their Fincamigos farm outside Jardín, Cafexport and their team of post-harvest producers strive to explore sustainable ways of processing specialty lots whilst preserving the Colombian coffee ecosystem for its dependants.

Phaedon's tasting notes

You could say that I learned to love specialty Colombian coffee with Warren from Quaffee. Coffee from this origin has always been one of his passions, and I have many fond memories of some of the lots he has sourced and shared with us. Things have changed on the Colombian coffee scene, at least from the South African vantage point, but this lot reminds me of the coffees of old. That must be in part because it's a simple washed lot - no funky processing here. Like the predecessors that I fondly remember, it offers a lovely caramel sweetness, a full body, and a subtle fruity acidity which reminds me of oranges. I particularly enjoyed it in a French press.

Quaffee’s notes

• Taste profile: Peach, honey sweetness, nutty finish
• Body: Medium
• Roast: Gentle decreasing ramp rate through first crack with short development phase
• Roast degree: Light
• Quaffee brews:
• Espresso: 1:2.2 (26 sec)
• AeroPress: 17.5g:200g (finer)
• Plunger: 48g:800g
• Pour over: 18g:300g (45 sec bloom, 3.5 total brewing time)

Coffee details from Quaffee

“Fincamigos was founded in 2018 after the collapse of a local cooperative. The project created new jobs while focusing on quality-driven coffee production. 

“The farm sits between 1,700 and 2,000 metres. This height slows cherry maturation and supports both acidity and sweetness. 

“Fincamigos grows a wide range of varieties: Gesha, Laurina, Typica, Sudan Rume, Tabi, Java, SL28 and Cenicafé selections.”

• Country: Colombia
• Region: Jardín, Southwest Antioquia
• Farm: Fincamigos
• Producers: Cafexport’s Fincamigos team & community workers
• Altitude: 1,700 - 2,000 m
• Cultivar: Typica
• Processing: Washed
• Packaging: Ecotac

Quaffee’s transparency information

• Organization: Cafexport
• Source: Falcon Specialty
• FOB price: $11.73 + $1.98 (consolidation fee)
• Cupping score: 86 (Falcon Specialty)
• Lot size bought: 1 x 30kg bag
• Relationship: We have been purchasing coffee from Falcon Specialty and And Sons for well over a decade