Colombia: Inzá Rio Páez

Inzá is a province located in Southwestern Colombia within the greater Department of Cauca. As you make the drive from La Plata to Inzá, you follow the Rio Paez, and an eventual crossing over a suspension bridge lands you on the road to the the villages whose coffees make up this blend. Like much of Colombia, Cauca is home to some very high altitude farms, many breaching the 2000 meter mark. This particular lot is a blend of coffees from a few of the neighboring Veredas within the region, altitudes ranging from 1500 - 2000+ meters. There's a very small amount from nearby Páez town, as well. These regional blends are made by cupping several samples from the individual farms, separating out those that meet a certain cup criteria, and then blending them together. Wet processing is traditional in the region, many using old-style hand cranked pulpers, fermenting and washing in the same tank and then drying out on raised, covered beds. This last part is key in facilitating even and gentle drying of the parchment, helping to keep the protective parchment layer intact as the internal moisture dips to around 11 - 12% over the course of a few days to 2 weeks (depending on the micro-climate). Most farms have a healthy amount of Caturra planted, as well as some Timor hybrids (like Variedad Colombia and Tabi) that were heavily promoted for disease resistance. This is another farmgate coffee that is great as espresso..

Cupping Notes: White honey, matcha powder, lemon basil, cinnamon powder, dried apricot, and cocoa notes

Brew Recommendations: Drip, French press, pour-over and espresso

Varietals: Caturra, Variedad Colombia, Typica

Region:Inzá & Páez, Cauca

Elevation: 1500-2000 meters above sea level

Processing Method: Wet process (washed) and covered, sun-dried

Equity and Transparency Pricing Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Sourced from the high-altitude landscapes of Inzá & Páez, Cauca, this offering from Keia & Martyn's Coffee showcases the classic profile of the Caturra varietal. Grown between 1500 and 2000 meters above sea level, the beans undergo a washed process, a method typically employed to highlight the inherent clarity and acidity of the coffee cherry.

In the cup, this lot presents a complex interplay of delicate sweetness and herbal undertones, featuring notes of white honey, matcha powder, lemon basil, cinnamon, dried apricot, and cocoa. While individual expressions vary, washed coffees from this region are often celebrated for their clean, vibrant character. To better understand how these specific descriptors align with broader sensory profiles, you may wish to consult the flavor wheel. This selection serves as a refined example of how traditional processing and high-elevation cultivation contribute to a nuanced and balanced drinking experience.