Tasting notes : DARK CHOCOLATE, APRICOT, BUTTER CARAMEL

Here, we love espressos that are round, but capable of bringing out a hint of fruit at the end. This is where the concept of JUICE TOWN comes from, a seasonal coffee, always of Colombian origin. One of Daniel's favorite origins for several reasons, but especially for the versatility that its varieties bring. You can make a very tasty latte as well as a fruity and complex filter, without changing the roasting profile.

Seasonal coffee still means lasting relationships. We work alongside a few different importers, but our primary goal always remains the same: to convey a story above all and to develop relationships that will go far.

 LUIS MARINO ORTEGA

Luis, nicknamed Marino by his family and friends, is a long-time coffee and avocado grower living in San Agustin, Colombia. Despite the increasingly difficult situation in rural areas due to threats of violence and theft, Marino remains on his land, while other family members have been forced to leave after traumatic experiences. Coming from a family of coffee farmers, Marino has been cultivating coffee for nearly 40 years, starting at the age of 16. By the time he was 20, he purchased his own land and planted 1,800 Caturra trees, seeing coffee farming as a promising opportunity for his life.

For decades, he sold his coffee on the national market, despite growing challenges such as coffee rust affecting his crops and rising production costs. In 2010, Marino invested in the Castillo variety, resistant to diseases but of lower quality, hoping for better stability. However, he struggled to find a specialty market for it, even after joining the Los Naranjos producer association.

In 2021, he decided to gradually replant with higher-quality varieties, including Pink Bourbon. After five years of careful attention, his new crops are thriving and allowing him to look forward to a promising future. Today, Marino is reaping the rewards of his hard work, with a high-quality harvest that is attracting attention and recognition for his resilience and dedication.

MONKAABA

Monkaaba is an initiative aimed at empowering smallholder coffee farmers in San Agustin, led by Esnaider Ortega Gomez and other local growers. Their goal is to help producers find profitable markets for their specialty coffee while investing in skill development and knowledge to ensure their long-term success.

Esnaider, with his experience as a cupper and sample roaster, noticed a lack of understanding at the buyer level about coffee production. Too often, coffees were rejected without explanation, demotivating producers. This experience led him to create Monkaaba, where he holds weekly cupping sessions open to all producers, regardless of their experience level or age, to evaluate their samples, discuss their challenges and goals, and help them improve their production.

This project aims to strengthen producers' autonomy and foster sustainable, transparent relationships between growers and roasters, contributing to the future of specialty coffee. Semilla supports this effort, seeking to create stronger, more authentic connections and encourage continuous learning and improvement.

ORIGIN: COLOMBIA (Huila)