Colombia washed Arabica Excelso EP Huila

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 in Colombia is Huila — having earned its reputation for good reason. The region offers an exceptional combination of fertile soils, high altitudes, and an ideal climate for cultivating specialty coffee. This particular coffee comes from two municipalities in Huila: Pitalito in the south and Garzón in central Huila. Located near the Magdalena River, the area’s economy is largely based on agriculture, including cattle farming and the cultivation of cacao, fruits, and, of course, coffee. Farmers in this region are typically smallholders, managing less than five hectares of land. Aware of the unique potential of their soils and microclimates, many dedicate themselves to producing high-quality coffee. In fact, coffees from this area have achieved numerous successful placements in Cup of Excellence competitions in Colombia over the years.

During the harvest season, ripe coffee cherries are selectively handpicked, then depulped and fermented. After fermentation, the beans are thoroughly washed with clean water to remove any remaining mucilage and are carefully dried to a target moisture level of approximately 12.5%. This Caturra lot is classified as Excelso, referring to large beans with screen sizes of 15–16. Excelso represents the largest volume of coffee exported from Colombia and is consistently available throughout the year. These beans are known for producing a clean cup with medium body and vibrant acidity.