Colombia Carmen Montoya Chiroso Washed

Origin: Finca Bella Vista, Urrao, Colombia

 Elevation: 2000 masl

Process: Washed

Dongze's Notes: Green Apple, Lime, Lemongrass

Carmen Montoya has been a coffee farmer for 23 years. Since childhood, her parents instilled in her a love for coffee and the art of being a coffee farmer. She started with a small plot of an unknown variety in the region, putting all her effort into the processing of this coffee. Her dedication was recognized when she won the Cup of Excellence in 2014 with the coffee she affectionately named "chiroso", a term adopted by her and fellow coffee farmers. Carmen was one of the pioneers in cultivating this coffee in her region.

Nestled at an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level, this farm "Bella Vista" stands as one of Carmen's primary estates and is among the oldest Chiroso plantations in Urrao. It's here that the magic unfolds—a place where Carmen's dedication to coffee cultivation has not only produced exceptional beans but also inspired a community. Surrounded by neighbors eager to learn, many are now adopting Carmen's techniques, fostering a collective pursuit of excellence in coffee production.

Processing and Fermentation:

She begins by placing the freshly harvested coffee cherries into open baskets, allowing them to undergo a 12-hour fermentation in their own pulp. This initial step initiates the breakdown of the mucilage surrounding the beans. Following this, she depulps the cherries to separate the beans from the fruit. The beans are then transferred to stainless steel tanks, where they undergo a second fermentation lasting 72 hours. This extended fermentation period further refines the beans by removing any remaining mucilage and enhancing their flavor profile. After this process, she thoroughly washes the beans to eliminate any residual material, preparing them for the drying phase.