Our September coffee of the month is produced by seven small family-owned farms in the municipality of Popayán in the department of Cauca, Colombia. We roast this coffee to a medium-dark color to smooth out the acidity and develop a chocolatey flavor profile. This coffee has a medium-heavy body and the flavor shifts quickly, making it one of the more complex and interesting cups we've offered this year.

The cup starts with a soft citrus acidity. Notes of tangerine peel give a light citrus bitterness that quickly fades into warm, malty chocolate. In the middle, roasty notes of toasted walnut join the chocolate, adding depth and a toasty richness. In the finish, rich dark chocolate and hints of dark fruit linger long and slightly dry into the next sip. As the cup cools, the citrus notes brighten, adding a lively dimension that runs through the entire cup.

Roast Color: Medium-Dark

Cupping Notes: Dark Chocolate, Tangerine Peel, Toasted Walnut

About the coffee of the month: We feature a new coffee every month. This allows us to explore more of the world of coffee outside of our normal offerings. It is available this month only, while supplies last. 

Story: Coffee cultivation from small family owned farms is the backbone of production in Colombia. Banexport, a Colombian export company, works directly with many of these producers who have a shared commitment for exquisite coffee processing, and loving care for their farms and the environment. Banexport helps producers gain access to technical support regarding best practices for farm management, processing the harvest, and cupping feedback, which helps producers improve the quality of their coffee. The model of collaborative effort produces traceable community blends with vibrant regional profiles.

This lot comes from 7 producers (Marli Feniver Tulande Velasco, Luz Albania Pechené Vidal, Francia Elena Mutis, Alberto Chantre Lame, Alfredo Chara Orozco, Lucila Bolaños de Rengifo, oliva Puliche Golondrino) with small farms in communities within the municipality of Popayán within the department of Cauca. Each producer has their own micro-mill where they carefully harvest cherries, macerate the cherries overnight between 24 and 36 hours, then depulp, ferment, wash and gently dry the coffee in parchment on raised beds for 10 to 15 days.

While individual producers have designed farm management and post-harvest solutions to fit their needs, the strong alliance with Banexport provides crucial logistical support for things like warehousing and milling coffee for export to the international market, which provides better income for everyone to reinvest in their farms and strengthen their families’ livelihoods.