Colombian La Julia Geisha variety coffee (washed)

The Colombian La Julia Geisha was sourced via Sabores. This is our second coffee from this Finca.

Colombian Coffee

Colombian coffee has a rich history that began in the early 18th century when Jesuit priests introduced coffee plants to Colombia. By the mid-19th century, coffee cultivation had expanded significantly, becoming integral to the economy. The establishment of large-scale coffee plantations and the adoption of new farming techniques propelled the industry forward. By the early 20th century, coffee had become Colombia’s primary export, solidifying its importance in the global market.

Today, Colombian coffee thrives with its rich aroma and distinctive flavour profiles. The industry faces challenges such as climate change and market fluctuations, but Colombian coffee farmers have adapted by embracing sustainable practices and innovative techniques. Shade-growing methods, organic farming, and reforestation efforts help mitigate environmental impacts and ensure the industry’s longevity. The global market for specialty coffee has also provided opportunities for Colombian coffee to fetch premium prices, supporting the livelihoods of over half a million coffee-farming families. Through resilience and innovation, Colombia maintains its status as one of the world’s leading coffee producers.

Sabores

In 2017, Nicole and José Fernández created Sabores in Colombia’s coffee mountains. Sabores offers diverse coffee flavours, reflecting their love and passion for coffee. Nicole, from South Africa, and José, from Colombia, integrate their proud heritage in Sabores. They import the great South American coffees, striving for a synergy of their backgrounds.

Finca La Julia

Nestled in the mountains of Trujillo, Valle del Cauca, La Julia coffee farm sits at an altitude of 1,420 to 1,700 meters above sea level. Surrounded by forests, watersheds, and rich biodiversity, La Julia cultivates various coffee varietals. The farm strives to produce high-quality specialty and estate coffees, reflecting its commitment to excellence and sustainability.

A Family Legacy

Niko and Karo, the second generation of coffee growers, own Finca La Julia. Their father, Octavio, built La Julia in the 90s with constant support from their mother, Angela. After Octavio passed away in 2002, Niko took on the baton in 2005. Karo, after living abroad for several years, moved back to Colombia, and together they started building on La Julia. Their mother backed their project, marking the beginning of the new JULIA.

In 2006, La Julia obtained its first two Rainforest Alliance Certifications, affirming their commitment to sustainable coffee production. Niko and Karo remain deeply committed to sustainable practices, ensuring the farm’s legacy thrives.

Geisha Washed Process

The process begins with handpicking the ripest cherries, followed by floating them in water to remove non-dense cherries and leaves. After hand sorting, the cherries ferment anaerobically for 12 hours in cherry and another 48 hours in tanks with cold water. The coffee then undergoes pre-drying in a silo for 2 hours a day over 6 days, followed by 20 days of drying and an additional 11 hours in a gas silo.

Our Note About This Geisha

Colombian Geishas differ significantly from Ethiopian Geshas and Panamanian Geishas. Preconceived ideas about this variety can result in a coffee drinker being dissatisfied with a coffee. As with all the coffees we offer,  our focus remains on a coffee’s unique characteristics. Unlike the common floral and melon notes associated with Ethiopian Geshas and Panamanian Geishas, we identified very different tasting notes, as listed below.

Details of the coffee

After cupping nearly 20 different Colombian coffees, we specifically selected this one to replace our Los Naranjos, which we have offered since 2008. This coffee has a similar flavour profile, we hope it will be as well-loved as Los Naranjos was.

Our brews:

Transparency Information

Sources:

• James Hoffman’s Atlas of Coffee.
• Sabores website, images and documentation.
• Rewrites by Co-pilot.