Quality Report - Colombia Cerro Azul La Esperanza Geisha Washed

About This Coffee

Finca Cerro Azul is located on an elevated foothill in the Colombian Western Mountain range. The farm sits in between both faces of the Pacific Ocean at an altitude of 1500-2000 MASL. It is fortunate enough to receive powerful sunshine interspersed by fog, and sufficient rainfall. With fertile volcanic soils, the cherries experience multiple flowerings and reach optimum sugar levels due to the exceptional climatic conditions.

Café Granja La Esperanza was established over 90 years ago with a small state farm in Potosi, Colombia. The agronomists behind Granja La Esperanza purchased the farm and dedicated its plantation to processing high quality organically certified coffee. They have spent the last decade meticulously honing their craft and since shifted from traditional 'C' market coffees, to more delicate and exotic varietals coveted by the specialty coffee industry.

They now manage three other farms in Colombia. The farms are located in Valle del Cauca and the Trujillo regions. Granja La Esperanza have also recently acquired La Carleida Terrior farm in Boquete, Panama. The Granja La Esperanza farms are amongst the most progressive and experimental plantations in the world. Cultivated varietals are selected for cup attributes over disease resistance, and pickers are paid by the day as opposed to by weight, encouraging harvest of only the ripest cherries. The quality control practices at Granja La Esperanza are based on three pillars; genetic material of the variety, the terrior, and human talent. They have strict quality control procedures, 95 hurdles to be exact, in place to ensure consistently excellent cup quality. This comprehensive investment of time, energy and human resources can only come about through total dedication, of which the Granja La Esperanza team are committed 100 per cent. The Granja La Esperanza philosophy combines quality of the cup, quality of the environment, and quality of life for its workers and the greater community.

Farm Information

  • Origin: Colombia
  • Region: Trujillo, Valle del Cauca
  • Farm/Coop/Mill: Cafe Granja La Esperanza - Cerro Azul
  • Producer: Rigoberto Herrera Correa
  • Variety: Geisha
  • Process: Washed
  • Altitude: 1650 - 2000masl
  • Harvest: October - January & April - June
  • Sourcing Partner: Bennetts Coffee
  • Quality Score: 90

Roast Level: 

Light

Flavour Profile

  • Aroma: Floral and Stonefruits
  • Flavour: Floral, Yellow Peach, Honey, Caramel, Black Tea
  • Aftertaste: Short and Clean Black Tea Finish
  • Acidity: Floral and Sweet Honey
  • Body: Yellow Peach, Honey and Caramel
  • Balance & Overall: An excellent washed coffee from Colombia, with it being very complex with flavours bursting from every sip.

Recommended Brewing Parameters

  • Espresso: 20g In, 42g Out, 27 Seconds
  • Milk-based (150ml): 23g In, 44g Out, 30 Seconds, 150g Milk
  • Pourover Filter (Chanho-Tornado): 15g In, 225g Out, 2 Minute 00 Seconds (45G Bloom, 30 Seconds)