LA RIVIERA CULTURING NIU

Notes:

Buttered Popcorn, Coconut, Passionfruit

Cup Profile:

Buttery and creamy with a smooth coco mouthfeel and a bright tropical acidity

Variety

Caturra and Castillo

Process:

Culturing

Producer:

Julio Madrid

Region:

Risaralda, Colombia

Altitude:

1,600 m

Recommended Brewing:

Pour Over, Drip and Espresso

Julio Madrid and his farm administrator Andrés Quiceno have developed an innovative fermentation system that uses carefully selected microbiotic cultures to shape the flavor of their coffees. Inspired by techniques from the beer industry, their “Culturing” process combines fruits, spices, aromatic plants, bacteria, and yeasts in a fermentation must, where coffee ferments under restricted oxygen for more than 144 hours. These controlled conditions trigger complex metabolic reactions that emphasize specific compounds in the coffee and produce remarkably vibrant, expressive profiles unlike anything we typically encounter in the cup.

One of the most unique coffees our team has come across in a long time, this Niu coffee from the Culturing series was co-fermented with pineapple, coconut, and sugarcane, and has notes of buttered popcorn, a creamy mouthfeel that coats the palate like coconut, and a hint of tropical acidity reminiscent of passionfruit.

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Produced by Julio Madrid in the Risaralda region of Colombia, La Riviera Culturing Niu represents a distinct approach to post-harvest handling. This lot features the Caturra varietal, a staple in the region known for its adaptability and balanced profile. What sets this specific offering apart is the use of culturing, a specialized processing method that utilizes controlled fermentation to influence the final cup profile.

Sourced by Devoción, this coffee presents a unique sensory experience characterized by notes of buttered popcorn, coconut, and passionfruit. While traditional processing often highlights the inherent qualities of the bean, experimental techniques like culturing can introduce unconventional aromatics and textures. To better understand how these specific descriptors align with broader industry standards, enthusiasts can consult the flavor wheel. This coffee serves as a compelling example of how producers are pushing the boundaries of traditional processing to achieve complex, high-impact results in the cup.