Freak & Unique XVII - 'Dancing with the Devil' | Colombia | Diego Bermudez K01

Chess is one of the oldest games in the world, holding deep cultural and intellectual significance. Oftentimes it can be seen played in cafes, the players drinking coffee to keep astute and alert during the challenge. The chequered board and the gingham tablecloth play with the grid and hint at the illusion of recessive space towards the opponent just out of frame. Exploring flatness, monochrome and perspective, 'Dancing with the Devil' is a freeze frame of a final move. "Check Mate" and Queen traps King, subverting the power dynamics of the past.

Our very limited series, Freak & Unique continues with this k01 process coffee from producer Diego Bermudez in Colombia. This coffee is paired with the artwork "Dancing with the Devil" by Fleur Yearsley.

 

PRODUCER: Diego Bermudez FARM: Villa Esperanza Paraiso 

 REGION: El Tambo, Cauca, Colombia

ALTITUDE: 1700 MASL VARIETAL: Castillo PROCESS: K01 Process

Diego Bermudez has been producing exceptional speciality coffee for over 13 years. Working alongside his family at Villa Esperanza Paraiso, he continuously refines processing techniques to create unique flavour profiles. Their on-farm lab has been key to developing fermentation protocols, earning Diego multiple awards. He has also achieved the CQI Level 2 Processing qualification, deepening his expertise in cup profiles, microorganisms, and temperature control.

For the KO1 process, ripe coffee cherries undergo ozone disinfection before a 12-hour anaerobic fermentation in water with saccharomyces cerevisiae. After pulping, cardamom seeds and yeasts are added with the coffee to a rotative fermenter to enhance aromatics, followed by a thermal shock wash to preserve delicate notes. Finally, the coffee is dried in a dehumidifier to ensure a clean, refined profile.

• Please note due to the extremely limited availability of this coffee, we will be roasting once weekly. This may add a small delay to online orders. *

Produced by Diego Bermudez in El Tambo, Cauca, the Freak & Unique XVII - 'Dancing with the Devil' represents a distinct approach to coffee production in Colombia. This lot features the Castillo varietal, grown at 1700 masl and subjected to the specialized K01 process. While traditional washed or natural methods rely on ambient fermentation, modern techniques like the K01 process often involve controlled environments to manipulate microbial activity, resulting in highly specific sensory profiles. Understanding these processing methods is essential for appreciating how producers can influence the final cup beyond standard agricultural practices.

Sourced by Hundred House Coffee, this release highlights the intersection of technical innovation and regional terroir. When evaluating such experimental lots, tasters often find it helpful to reference a flavor wheel to categorize the complex, non-traditional notes that arise from these advanced fermentation protocols. This coffee serves as a compelling example of how producers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the Castillo varietal.