Sudan Rume Washed

This soft, layered cup opens with aromas of graham cracker, peach, oolong tea, and hyacinth. We found notes of caramel, papaya, and macadamia joined by milk chocolate sweetness and nectarine acidity. The aftertaste features lingering oolong, graham cracker, and mandarin orange.

Details

Producer: Rigoberto Herrera Farm: Las Margaritas, Café Granja La Esperanza Region: Caicedonia, Valle del Cauca Altitude: 1,571-1,852 masl Varietal: Sudan Rume Process: Washed Roast: Light-Medium Notes: Oolong, Papaya, Caramel

The Story

Sudan Rume is an exceptionally rare coffee with a beautiful flavor profile. As its name suggests, the varietal was discovered in the country of Sudan near its border with Ethiopia. It's a naturally-occurring varietal from the Bourbon family, bursting with rich fruit and unique herbal flavors, but very low-yielding. Due to its low yield Sudan Rume has mainly been used for breeding, creating hybrids that produce more fruit with some of its prized flavor characteristics.

Recently, farms in the specialty coffee world have begun to allot some of their farmland to Sudan Rume trees. As the harvest is incredibly small, this coffee is a classic case of quality over quantity.

After careful picking, the cherries are left intact to ferment for 19-22 hours. They are then depulped without water to begin a second fermentation step in parchment and mucilage for 35 hours. After washing, they are mechanically dried to a moisture content of about 10.5%.

Direct Trade

Nearly a century old, and spread across five farms in Valle del Cauca and Cundinamarca, Café Granja La Esperanza has taken great strides under the Herrera brothers’ leadership and forward-thinking vision. In the last decade, the farm has transitioned away from traditional commodity-market coffees to the delicate and exquisite varieties coveted by the specialty coffee industry.

The Herrera brothers' patience and willingness to experiment with rare varieties has won them numerous accolades from the SCAA and Roasters Guild. They are also known for their fair and innovative production and labor practices. Optimal work conditions are a priority at the estate, where workers are paid fair wages and child labor is not permitted.

In 2012, Café Granja La Esperanza achieved a “Triple Crown,” landing in 2nd, 3rd, and 7th place in the SCAA’s Coffees of the Year competition. We've been proud to partner with a producer who values experimentation with rare and difficult varieties—the results over the years have always been worth it!

Produced by Rigoberto Herrera in the Caicedonia region of Valle del Cauca, this Sudan Rume selection represents a sophisticated expression of Colombia · Caicedonia, Valle del Cauca. The Sudan Rume varietal is often celebrated for its distinct, nuanced profile, which frequently bridges the gap between delicate tea-like qualities and vibrant tropical fruit notes. By utilizing a washed process, the producer emphasizes the inherent clarity and structural elegance of the bean, allowing the specific characteristics of the harvest to shine through.

Roasted by PT's Coffee Roasting, this lot presents a refined cup profile featuring oolong, papaya, and caramel. When evaluating such complex coffees, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool for identifying the subtle interplay between these savory, sweet, and fruity elements. This offering serves as a compelling example of how meticulous cultivation and processing techniques can elevate a rare varietal to its full potential.