FINCA LA COLMENA

ORIGIN : San Vicente, HondurasFARMER : Benjamin PazPROCESSING : Fully Washed, Raised BedsROAST : Light-MediumTASTING NOTES : Nectarine, Toffee, Lemon, Whipped Honey, Vanilla

 

This crowd-pleasing, organic microlot offering is courtesy of San Vicente, a family-owned export operation in the Santa Barbara department of Honduras. In recent years, their young rockstar operator, Ben Paz, has been responsible for the production of several notable varietals within the specialty coffee scene. 

The Cup of Excellence is a country-by-country competition that has identified quality through cupping for two decades, leading the top-scoring lots to an international auction, where they often command many times the market price for a pound of raw green coffee. Santa Barbara claims more Cup of Excellence prize-taking producers than anywhere else in Honduras. Despite not possessing remarkable altitudes for a coffee-growing region or the most sought-after exotic varieties there's simply something special about the area - and Ben Paz is one of those things. 

We roast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and to ensure the best tasting coffees, orders received after Monday may not be processed or shipped until the following week.

Produced by Benjamin Paz in the San Vicente region of Honduras, Finca La Colmena represents a meticulous approach to coffee cultivation. This lot is prepared using the fully washed method, a technique often employed to highlight the inherent clarity and acidity of the bean. When roasted by Bard Coffee, the resulting cup profile features distinct notes of nectarine, toffee, lemon, whipped honey, and vanilla.

While individual profiles vary, washed coffees are frequently celebrated for their clean, vibrant character, which allows specific fruit and sugar-like qualities to shine through. To better understand how these descriptors align with professional sensory standards, enthusiasts often consult a flavor wheel to categorize the nuances found in their brew. Finca La Colmena serves as a compelling example of the refined output emerging from the San Vicente landscape, showcasing a balanced interplay between bright citrus tones and rich, sweet undertones.