COLOMBIA - Small Producers of Urrao / Washed

Tasting Notes: Apple, brown sugar, cocoa and bergamot tea. Great structure. Origin Colombia Region Urrao Farmer 12 Producers of Urrao Variety Caturra Altitude 1,900-2100 m.a.s.l Proc. Method Extended Fermentation This coffee was grown and processed by twelve smallholder producers that are situated around the town and municipality of Urrao, located in the high mountains of Western Antioquia, Colombia. The producers are Alexandar Zapata Jr., Alexandar Zapata, Arsenio Moreno, Eduardo Vargas, Gustavo Hernandez, Jairo Zapata, Luis Alvaro, Juan Moreno, Dionisio Vargas, Yessica Moreno and Luis Montoya. Urrao is a unique and special coffee growing region, located in the valley of Rio Penderisco, at around 1,900m above sea level. Unlike other producing regions in Colombia, which are characterised by deep canyons and massive, rugged mountains, Urrao is covered in rolling green hills, calm pastures and beautiful rivers that snake through the landscape. This geography guarantees cool temperatures year-round, typically only reaching between 12-25 degrees. This cool climate is ideal for the slow ripening of coffee cherries, leading to denser beans and a sweeter, more complex cup profile. Until recently Urrao was overlooked as a coffee-producing region and dismissed by many as being too cold for good production. There is still very little coffee produced in the area, despite it being some of the most fertile land in Antioquia. Many farmers complement the income they make from coffee by growing “lulu”, a type of passionfruit that tastes similar to a kiwi fruit and is incredibly popular in Colombia. Coffee grown in Urrao is slowly becoming recognised and sought after for its high quality and complexity. Farms in Urrao are very small – averaging just 1.5 hectares – and are traditionally farmed. Fertilisation occurs around three times a year, usually after manual weeding, and pesticides are rarely used. The coffee is selectively hand-harvested, with most labour being provided by the f