What's in the Box: Coffee from Colombia & Brazil

We’re welcoming the summer season with open arms and delicious roasts! This month, we have the return of Finca El Paraiso (but a different variety this time!), plus the sweet and creamy Sito Barbela from Brazil. Let’s unpack what exactly is in the box for June!

Coffee #1

Colombia El Paraiso 
Java
Washed
Gigante, Huila
1,800 masl
Ernedis Rodriguez

We’re big fans of Ernedis Rodriguez’s Caturra variety that he produces on his farm Finca El Paraiso, but during our June 2022 visit, we saw Ernedis had been busy cultivating Java and Bourbon Sidra varieties. So we bought a little bit of each, and Java is up first! It’s bright and juicy with thick red fruit character like currants, and we are also picking up a distinct citric acidity like blood orange, plus deeply satisfying sweetness like brown sugar. 

As a longtime specialty producer, Ernedis’ farm is quite advanced when it comes to quality and environmental sustainability. Finca El Paraiso is a picturesque farm located in Huila, Colombia, nestled high up on a mountain ridge with steep slopes overlooking the beautiful Magdalena River Valley. To keep his farm true to its name—a paradise—Ernedis is constantly finding ways to farm and process his coffee in a way that’s harmonious with nature. Recently, he invested in an eco-pulper, which uses less water to de-pulp the coffee and, as a result, reduces contamination to the environment. The pulp is composted in basins, so there is no contact with the soil, and the pulp becomes useful organic fertilizer for the farm. It’s a win-win for all!

Ernedis is a true visionary when it comes to coffee, and someone whose coffee we are honored to roast. 

Coffee #2

Brazil Sitio Barbela
Yellow Catuai, Red Catucai
Natural
Poco Fundo, Minas Gerais
1,100 masl
Edivaldo Moraes and 25 sharecroppers

Sito Barbela is a delicious Brazilian coffee with notes of caramel candy, vanilla cream, and papaya–and like most Brazil coffees, it’s a natural. It stands out from the crowd thanks to its lower acidity, more pronounced creaminess, and milky mouthfeel. We liken it to caramel chew candies with milky vanilla filling. Yum! 

As a coffee producer in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Legender brings to market the best coffees from small producers in this region. Although most coffee regions in Brazil are well known for large coffee plantations, Legender is the inverse and consists of small farms called Sitios. All lots are purchased directly from growers committed to quality and willing to provide detailed information about their Sitios, harvesting methods, drying techniques, and other relevant information about their coffee.

This particular coffee comes from Edivaldo Moraes, who represents a group of 25 sharecroppers working on a 50 hectare portion of land at Fazenda Gouvea in Poco Fundo, Brazil. While sharecroppers typically sell their coffee under the farmer’s name, Edivaldo decided to change that. Serving as the representative for the 25 sharecroppers, Edivaldo brought their coffee to Legender for the first time in 2021 and sold their share. The name Sitio Barbela was given to this lot after Edivaldo’s nickname, Barbela. Our importer Royal New York has partnered with Legender for many years now to bring in micro lots like this from Brazil, as well as larger regional lots from Legender. We’re thrilled to have it here! 

Coffee #3

Ethiopia Raro Nansebo 
Natural
Uraga, Guji
2,100 - 2,350 masl
Ture Waji

Coffee #4

Ecuador Girasoles 
Caturra
Natural
Gonzanamá, Loja
1,750 masl
Melania Cueva