We've taken note of an explosion in interest in Colombian specialty coffee in recent years. Thanks to importers like Sabores and roasters like our friends at Cedar (as well as many of our other partners) some of the quirkier and most interesting lots are becoming available for South African specialty coffee lovers. Colombia is often at the cutting edge, not only of coffee cultivation, but also of coffee processing techniques, and this has helped to yield some truly unique and special coffees.

When it comes to growing and processing specialty coffee, there are some names that have achieved rockstar status. Rodrigo Sanchez of Monteblanco farm is definitely one of them. We've been lucky enough to enjoy many of this pioneering producer's lots over the years, sourced and roasted by several of our partners. We're excited to see one of his special lots roasted by our friends at Cedar.

Not only is this a natural process, something Sanchez is known to execute with mouth-watering results, but this is also a single-variety Purple Caturra lot. Purple Caturra, named for the cherry's colour, is extremely rare and sought after; it's also one of the things Monteblanco farm is known for. Suffice it to say, we're very excited to taste this new release.

Phaedon's tasting notes

This coffee was such a pleasure to sample. It definitely ticks all the boxes for an adventurous coffee drinker. It has fermented fruit notes, reminiscent of strawberries, raspberries and even tropical fruit. It has quite a bright acidity, almost sherbet-like in some cups. It's somewhat effervescent. It's also versatile and a delight on most manual brew methods including the AeroPress, pour-overs and even the moka pot. And yet, it seems to demonstrate a little bit of restraint. The flavours are not dialled up to 11; they're just that little bit less amplified, less distorted by the volume, if you'll permit me to extend this audio-inspired metaphor just a little further. That made me like it all the more.

Cedar's notes

• Cup Profile: Raspberry candy, pineapple, Ferrero Rocher

This coffee just has a lot going on from the minute you take in the aroma to the lingering aftertaste. On filter you get this raspberry candy upfront and then a lingering after taste of pineapple as the drink cools down. On milk everything smooths out and you get notes of chocolate filled with tiny bits of nuts; best way to explain it would be like eating a Ferrero Rocher. Filter would be the best representation of this coffee just to take in all the different fruit notes on each sip

Coffee details from Cedar

We finally got our hands on one of Rodrigo Sanchez coffee lots, this time from Monteblanco located at the top of the mountain. When it comes to Specialty coffee in Colombia, Rodrigo is one of the leading producers pushing the boundaries of experimental coffees, working on many coffee projects under the umbrella company Aromas de Sur. 

The coffee we present is quite interesting as this variety is a Purple Caturra grown by Rodrigo's grandfather many years ago. Standard procedures on the farm would be to measure the sugar content of the ripe cherries and then based on this decide on the perfect processing technique. This one here went through a Natural process placed in solar dryers for 5 days and then further dried on raised beds in shade for 22 days. 

• Farm: Monteblanco
• Producer: Rodrigo Sanchez
• Region: Pitalito, Huila
• Country: Colombia
• Process: Natural
• Altitude: 1730 masl
• Variety: Purple Caturra

You can find more coffees from Cedar here.