Colombian Las Flores Washed Tabi arabica coffee

We sourced this Colombian Las Flores from Sabores:

Sabores

Sabores – Flavours of Colombia was founded in 2017 by Nicole and José Fernandez over a freshly brewed cup of coffee in Colombia’s coffee-producing mountains. The term *Sabores*, meaning “flavours” in Spanish, reflects their commitment to offering coffee with a diverse range of flavours. Nicole, from Ceres, South Africa, and José, from Colombia, established Sabores to combine their heritage and passion for coffee. By importing high-quality Colombian coffee, they create a synergy between their backgrounds. The couple, raised in families that value tradition and sustainability, proudly source coffee from environmentally friendly, socially fair, and sustainable farms. Sabores strives to become a leading supplier of specialty Colombian coffee in South Africa, emphasizing social responsibility, cost leadership, and marketing support. Their goal is to be a key player in the high-quality coffee industry while staying true to their values.

Region: Huila, Colombia

The Huila region, located at the base of the Andes in southern Colombia, boasts fertile soil and ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Warm winds from the Amazon and cool breezes from the Caribbean create a unique sweetness in the cherries, which are known for their bright acidity. This region is one of Colombia’s premier coffee-growing areas, producing distinct flavours that set it apart from other regions.

Jhoan Vergara

Jhoan Vergara, a third-generation coffee producer, took over his family’s Las Flores farm in Acevedo, Huila, in 2018. At just 24 years old, he made the bold decision to shift from high-volume Caturra production to cultivating specialty coffee varieties. Despite initial resistance from his father, Jhoan introduced Pink Bourbon, Red Bourbon, Tabi, Java, and Maracaturra to the farm. His older brother manages processing, while his younger brother handles sales and human resources, creating a collaborative family effort. Jhoan’s innovative approach focuses on quality over quantity. He emphasizes consistency, aiming for coffee that scores 87-88 points on the SCA scale. By experimenting with processing methods and utilizing a microorganism lab, he ensures each variety reaches its full potential.

Specialty Coffee Production and Innovation

Jhoan’s transition to specialty coffee required significant adjustments. He experimented with different varieties to find the best match for the farm’s soil and altitude. Each variety now undergoes tailored processing, a departure from the uniform methods used previously. This shift has allowed Jhoan to achieve greater consistency and quality in his coffee. His dedication to learning and experimentation has paid off. Over the past three years, Jhoan has refined his methods, reducing the need for constant analysis while maintaining high standards. He treats coffee as a fresh product, ensuring its quality from harvest to cup.

Family Influence

Jhoan’s passion for coffee stems from his family. His father’s hard work on the farm instilled a love for the land, while his mother’s curiosity and belief in specialty coffee inspired his innovative approach. His mother, who placed 16th in the 2006 Cup of Excellence, encouraged him to explore new possibilities and perfect his craft. Initially, Jhoan had no interest in coffee production, but a year of hard labour on the farm as a teenager changed his perspective. He discovered joy in working the land and decided to continue the family tradition.

Community and Collaboration

Jhoan is a leader in his community, organizing annual cupping events to bring local producers together. He believes in sharing knowledge and experiences, fostering collaboration to elevate the quality of coffee in Huila and Colombia. His openness about successes and failures has helped build trust and improve practices among producers. In 2019, Jhoan won the Master of Coffee competition in South Korea, representing both producer and roaster roles. This achievement highlighted his expertise and dedication to the craft.

Vision for the Future

Jhoan is concerned about the future of coffee production in Huila, where many farms face abandonment due to financial challenges. He hopes to inspire younger generations to see coffee production as a sophisticated and innovative career. For Jhoan, coffee is more than a business—it’s a way to connect with the world and share his passion. Through his dedication, Jhoan Vergara represents a new generation of coffee producers, blending tradition with innovation to create exceptional coffee while fostering community growth.

Colombian Las Flores

We have the Tabi variety of from Las Flores. A complex coffee we selected specifically to replace La Pyramide.

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Our brews:

Brew Method	Ratio	Brew Method	Ratio
Espresso	1:2.2	AeroPress	17.5g:200g
Plunger	36g:600g	Pour over / filter	18g:300g

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Transparency Information

 

Sourced from	Sabors
FOB price	$13.37 per kg logistics was around R60/kg as per Sabores
Cupping score	87.5 (Sabores)
Producer / Organisation	Jhoan Vergara / Finca Las Flores
Lot size	We were only able to secure 23 kgs of this coffee
Relationship	Our relationship with Sabores goes back to 2019, this was our first coffee from Las Flores.

 

Sources:

• typica.coffee
• Sabores’s website and info sheet