Diego Bermudez - Total Eclipse

MEET THE PRODUCER | Diego Bermudez needs no introduction in specialty coffee circles. Known for understanding processing in a way that few producers do, there was a time when Diego was accused of "cheating" because some of the flavors found in his coffees were so intense and nuanced, people thought they must be artificial or added. In reality, those flavors are a direct result of Diego's innovative and science-laden processing methods. His use of primary and secondary fermentation has produced some of the wildest flavor experiences we've ever enjoyed at the cupping table, and this release has much to teach us about what is possible in contemporary coffee processing.

TRUST THE PROCESS | This coffee is a blend of two lots which are situated on opposite ends of the fermentation spectrum. To your left, you’ll meet Luna: a squeaky clean, washed Gesha lot that exemplifies variety characteristics through and through. Then, alllllll the way to your right, you’ll find a Caturra lot which underwent a process Diego calls “Anti-Maceration.” The latter is so intensely funky, so fermentation-forward, even we had to take a step back. 

When blended, these two coffees to create something altogether unique from both of them, and we couldn’t resist the opportunity to showcase Diego’s processing prowess in this way. It’s sort of like the juxtaposition of darkness and light – similar to the eclipse that’s coming our way on August 12. 

TAKE A SIP | To be clear: this coffee is still pretty funky. The Gesha lot certainly helped to clean things up a bit, but there’s no denying the blend’s intensity. Tropical fruits, like passion fruit, mingle with cooked stone fruit, like peach preserves. It sips like natural wine and finishes like craft chocolate, reminding us of some of our favorite red-label profiles. Fermentation still fuels the flavor, but the Luna lot gives those flavors more space (pun intended). If you normally like our funky friends but don’t love this one at first sip, we recommend putting it back in the cabinet and letting it rest for a few days – you might be surprised just how much the flavor moves around!

Origin | Cauca, Colombia

Producer | Diego Bermudez & Family

Farm | Finca El Paraiso

Process | Thermal Shock Washed | Anti-Maceration

Variety | Gesha | Caturra

Elevation | 1900-1930 MASL

Produced by Diego Bermudez and his family in the Cauca region of Colombia, the Total Eclipse lot represents a sophisticated approach to modern coffee production. This coffee features a blend of Gesha and Caturra varietals, processed using a specialized thermal shock washed and anti-maceration technique. Such innovative processing methods are often employed to manipulate the fermentation environment, aiming to enhance specific aromatic profiles and clarity in the final cup.

Roasted by Black & White Coffee Roasters, this selection offers a complex sensory experience characterized by notes of passion fruit, peach preserves, natural wine, and craft chocolate. While individual lots vary, enthusiasts often consult the flavor wheel to better categorize these distinct fruit-forward and fermented qualities. By combining high-altitude cultivation with precise post-harvest control, the Bermudez family continues to push the boundaries of what is possible within the Colombian coffee landscape.