Colombia has always been an undisputed high point for coffee culture. At the peak of summer, high above the world in Los Alpes of Nariño, the entire community celebrates their patron saint of San Ezequiel with the flavorful comforts of fried guinea pig and shared liquor. With tasting notes of milk chocolate, caramel & tangerine, this cup embodies that celebratory comfort and soars through the clouds like a joyful chorus.
Region: Nariño, Colombia
Farm: Los Alpes
Altitude: 3500 masl
Variety: Castilla, Caturra, and Colombia
Process: Washed
Roast Level: Medium
Tasting Notes: milk chocolate, caramel & tangerine
Best For: Chemex, Drip
Like the man said, the times they are a-changin’. And unfortunately so is the climate. The resilient coffee communities of Los Alpes in Nariño, Colombia are hip to this sad fact of life and the hard reality that they’re on the frontlines of Mother Nature’s man-made mood swings. So they’ve adapted. Los Alpes ain’t a quaint vacation spot and access is challenging, requiring a tummy-churning ramble along ramshackle roads in only the bravest of pickup trucks, climbing up into these cloud-enshrouded mountains that ultimately peak at 3500 meters above sea level. Only the strongest stomachs may attempt the journey. Talk about sick alps…
The Chincunque family manages small plots of one to two hectares per family member, growing Castilla, Caturra, and Colombia varieties. The coffee is fermented in cement tanks for 15 to 17 hours. After drying the beans for 8-12 days on patios or raised beds, they carry it all to the nearest point accessible by vehicle. A down & dirty labor of love results in the absolute height of flavor.
Fewer than 300 people call this place home, and they’re all doing their part to keep it safe and sweet. Native plants are left wild & free near precious water sources, which are also kept free from livestock. Every single producer preserves a portion of their respective farm as pristine, protected forest. That’s a lot of Ferngullies. The remoteness of this little slice of paradise historically meant limited market access, and the farms focused mostly on peanuts and corn grown on unfertilized land. The switch to coffee has been a progressive boost not only to the ecological health of the area, but also to the farmers’ pocketbooks. It’s not just a hippie daydream to imagine a world where financial and environmental wellbeing can sing together in joyful harmony. Although literally having your head in the clouds doesn’t hurt.
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