005B - CGLE 17 Hybrid

This experimental crossing of Caturra and Gesha varieties is a first for us at Colonna. It was designed to produce a more resistant and adaptable plant to help withstand challenging climate and soil. Approached not only with an exquisite cup profile in mind, the team at Café Granja La Esperanza focused on providing sustainability and consistent quality for the farm. It combines the complex, exceptional profile of Gesha, with the adaptability and higher-yield of Caturra (the first naturally occurring coffee mutation).

The story begins in 2007 when Don Rigoberto, part of the third generation at the family-run CGLE, had the opportunity to lease and manage a farm in Boquete, Panama. Just a year later, he would enter a Gesha and win first place in the Best of Panama competition. Following this rapid success, he returned home with a selection of Gesha seeds. This would help kickstart a new era for CGLE, which we are experiencing today with this innovative microlot.

The journey to get to this specific coffee took over a decade to come to fruition, with research starting in 2011 when the first Caturra plants were selected at Potosi Farm.

The first hybrids were planted in 2014 and although they had a successful harvest three years later, the coffee lacked the complexity they were looking for. After much experimentation and trialling of different varietal combinations, a Gesha was finally selected from their Cerro Azul Farm (where Gesha is grown exclusively) which would turn out to be the missing link.

This new Caturra/Gesha hybrid was planted in 2017 and was one of the highest lots cultivated on Potosi Farm at 1890 masl. There were just 642 trees across 2500 metres, which grew with a uniquely compact structure. The first branches started around 50cm from the ground, much higher than other varieties. The cherries were large and thin similar to a Gesha, but with a much higher yield per tree.

CGLE 17 Hybrid underwent 90 hours of anaerobic fermentation, followed by a period of mechanical drying and finished with 15 days in parabolic driers. The final cup was extremely floral and aromatic. They had found the perfect combination.

This coffee is a testament to the depth of knowledge, passion for experimentation, and long-term commitment of the team at Café Granja La Esperanza. Over the years, we have sourced many lots from CGLE and find them to be outstanding time and time again.

We were able to get the entirety of this lot to share exclusively with you as 005 in our Limited Release Rare series.

The 005B - CGLE 17 Hybrid, sourced from Café Granja La Esperanza in Colombia, represents a unique intersection of botanical breeding and modern processing. As a Caturra/Gesha hybrid, this coffee draws upon the structural reliability of Caturra and the renowned aromatic profile often associated with the Gesha lineage. The application of an anaerobic process further influences the cup, a technique frequently utilized by producers to manipulate fermentation environments and enhance specific sensory characteristics.

When evaluating such complex lots, tasters often look for the interplay between the varietal’s inherent traits and the impact of the post-harvest method. While the roaster identifies this specific lot as floral and aromatic, drinkers may find it helpful to consult a flavor wheel to better articulate the nuances present in the cup. This coffee stands as a testament to the ongoing experimentation within the specialty sector, where precise control over fermentation and plant genetics continues to redefine the boundaries of flavor.