Colombia, El Mirador, Pink Champagne Washed - 8oz

Buckle up, y'all, because this is a special one! Everything from the varietal itself to the processing method is an example of innovation (a month and half of work goes into processing this particular coffee!!), and leads to a next-level coffee experience full of fermented fruity flavors!  *Please note due to the small lot size, this is an 8oz bag*

In addition to sourcing and roasting with utmost care and intentionality, each bag features a graphic from Brandywine's in-house designer and is individually screenprinted and wax stamped. 

Tasting notes: White Grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

• Country: Colombia
• Region: Huila
• Producer: Elkin Ferney Guzman Vargas
• Farm: El Mirador
• Variety: Catiope
• Process: Pink Champagne Washed
• Elevation: 1550-1750 MASL

More about what makes this coffee special...
Located in the village of El Portal in Huila, Colombia, El Mirador is a 31-hectare farm planted with several varieties. Elkin Guzman, the owner of El Mirador, has been surrounded by coffee since he was born. His family has always been involved in coffee cultivation, trading, or retail. Collectively, his family has celebrated over 70 years in coffee now, with 12 years of research devoted to post-harvest processing techniques.

All of this research and experience has brought Elkin to utilize multiple processing techniques depending on the individual lot of coffee, including Coffee Maceration, Lactic and Acetic Natural processes, and Natural Hydro Honey. The processing methods used by Elkin embody his pioneering spirit, combining different approaches to fermentation and drying techniques to complement each coffee’s inherent characteristics.

In the case of this lot of Catiope coffee, the team at El Mirador chose a special processing method that they call Strawberry Natural. Catiope is a variety that Elkin came across during a visit to an experimental station operated by Cenicafé in Timbio, Cauca, Colombia. They told him that the cultivar was a result of crossing Caturra with Lineas Etiopes, hence the name. After planting it on his farm, Elkin fell in love with the variety for its production and cup quality.

Pink Champagne Washed processing begins with harvesting coffee cherries that have measured above 20 degrees Brix (sugar content). The cherries are sorted via floatation before being hand sorted to remove inconsistencies. They're then depulped and macerated with a culture made from fermenting fruit and spices. The pulped coffee and culture are fermented for nearly six days, while having pH and Brix regularly checked. The coffee is then dried for 25-30 days before being milled and prepped for export!