Colombia washed Arabica Excelso EP Huila, Pitalito, Organic

On the quest for distinguished coffee, you cannot miss Colombia. Colombia’s quality reputation stems from hard work and excellent terrain. A unique topographic characteristic also comes into play when describing the various facets of Colombian coffees: the three cordilleras of the Andes mountain range. Several microclimates are formed between and within the mountain ranges, resulting in exceptional conditions for high-quality coffee production.

One of the most renowned coffee-producing regions is Huila - and for good reason. Huila boasts a perfect blend of fertile soils, high altitude, and an ideal climate for cultivating specialty coffee. To the south, you can find the town and municipality of Pitalito, right over the Valley of the Rio Grande de la Magdalena. Farmers in the area are mostly smallholders who focus on producing high-quality coffee. In fact, coffees from this area have had many successful entries in Colombia’s Cup of Excellence over the years.

Farmers in the area typically grow two main varieties: Caturra and Castillo. During the harvest season, ripe coffee cherries are selectively picked, then de-pulped and fermented. Following fermentation, the beans are thoroughly washed with clean water to remove any remaining mucilage or debris and then dried until reaching the desired moisture level, around 12.5%.