SWEET & FRUITY

Caldas / 1800 masl. / Castillo / Natural / SCA  - 86.50p. 

Like many coffee producers in Colombia, producers of the Villamaría district had historically been promised higher prices and the purchase of a farmer's entire crop by large institutions in the past. Having never delivered on this promise, understandably faith in new ventures had greatly diminished amongst producers. Thankfully, "Jamaica" is a processing station that neighbours the communities who sell to Villamaría, and the importers' consistent return every harvest has helped those hesitant to see that they are committed long-term. The producers that create the lots you enjoy from Villamaría, now grow in number, as word spreads of a system that ensures better prices, for reduced labour , and a need for a growing volume of their harvest.

For the natural process, freshly harvested cherry is delivered to the "La Aurora" delivery point where it is floated, sorted and left to rest in cherry for 24 hours. The cherries are transported to the "Jamaica" processing station the following day where they undergo a further 48 hours of fermentation in cherry.

They are then taken to drying beds in the greenhouse for around 15 days before being finished in the mechanical dryer for 3-4 days.