Colombia Maria Rodriguez SL28 Washed Espresso - Single Origin

Colombia Maria Rodriguez SL28 Washed Espresso - Single Origin.

In the highlands of Palestina, Huila, Maria Rodriguez co‑leads Finca Betania alongside her husband Linarco, within a group of 117 smallholder families. United by a shared philosophy of soil stewardship, biodiversity, and chemical free farming, the network has pooled resources to build cupping labs, professional drying stations, and centralised warehouses. This infrastructure lifts quality across the board while preserving full traceability back to each farm and family.

Only fully ripe cherries are harvested, floated and sorted. Cherries are depulped within hours to lock in fresh, sugar rich mucilage. The parchment moves into sealed tanks for a 32 hour anaerobic fermentation, a controlled phase that builds sweetness without sacrificing clarity. After fermentation, the coffee is thoroughly washed and spread on raised beds to dry slowly over 20–25 days.

Maria’s role is both practical and visionary; she helps set standards for selective picking, fermentation, and drying, and supports younger producers in the group. Her attention to detail shows clearly in this SL28, a washed coffee shaped by careful decisions at every stage.

PROCESS: W

REGION: P

ELEVATION: 2

VARIETAL: S

CUP: L

ROAST: F

Produced by Maria Rodriguez in the Palestina region of Huila, Colombia, this single-origin espresso showcases the distinct character of the SL28 varietal. While originally developed in Kenya, this cultivar is increasingly celebrated for its vibrant acidity and complex profile when grown in South American soils. By utilizing a washed process, the producer emphasizes a clean, refined cup that highlights the inherent brightness of the cherry.

Roasted by Code Black Coffee, this lot presents a focused sensory experience defined by citrus and malic acidity, balanced by a lingering sweetness. For those looking to further explore the nuances of these descriptors, the flavor wheel serves as a helpful reference for identifying the specific fruit-forward characteristics often found in high-quality washed coffees. This offering provides a compelling look at how specific varietal selection and meticulous processing can shape the final espresso experience.