Here's a special Colombian coffee that we found thanks to our friends at Tinto Macizo. Pacamara is a unique hybrid varietal developed in the 1950s, a cross between Pacas and Marogogype. It tends to exhibit clean and spicy flavours, and this one is no exception, with crisp citrusy notes of Nectarine, Orange, and Apricot. Definitely one to try if you enjoy tasting interesting varietals that aren't commonly available, especially for those washed coffee fans out there! Not only is this coffee special and delicious, it was grown by an amazing wife-and-husband team who are doing great work in their home town of Acevado, Huila.
Silvia Rojas runs a 4-hectare farm with her husband Guillermo. They have been coffee producers their whole lives, and up until recently were selling their crop to local buyers and receiving fluctuating market prices. But one day, Silvia discovered that her brother-in-law had some pacamara seeds lying around, a forgotten gift from a neighbor. Curious to try them out, she and her husband started a nursery, knowing that this varietal was highly sought by certain buyers.
The pacamara seedings were planted at the highest point of the farm, 1650 masl, and after five years the plants have shown exceptional cup quality and yield. However, the couple struggled to find a buyer willing to pay a high enough price at first, so they had to sell the crop to commercial buyers at no premium. This lot marks the first time they have been able to sell their pacamara at a viable price, and we're so excited to be a part of that milestone!
In 2021, as Covid forced everyone into isolation, Silvia and Guillermo recognized the importance of growing their own food and began diversifying their crops. They now harvest mango, guanabana, pitaya, papaya, tapioca, and more, both for their own use and for extra income. As part of farm management, they maintain vegetative ground cover between the coffee trees to capture and store water, prevent soil and nutrient erosion, and enhance the soil's biological life. They've developed a beautiful ecosystem at their little Colombian farm, and we are thrilled to feature this special varietal that they have worked hard to nurture and produce.
Elevation: 1650 Meters above Sea Level
Varietal: Pacamara
Cup score: 87
Price paid per kg: £18
Process: Washed
