Colombia China Alta Caturra Washed

This coffee comes from eight smallholder producers located around the village of China Alta in Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia. The farms that contributed to this lot are tiny, with an average size of only 3 hectares, and are situated at an elevation between 1800-2000m above sea level in the steep hills surrounding Tolima's capital city, Ibagué. The region of China Alta is named after the Rio La China. This small and beautiful river curves through the mountains and flows into the Rio Magdelena, Colombia's principal river. Coffee farms in China Alta are located alongside the Rio La China, which irrigates and processes coffee. The higher elevation areas of the region, known as Alta, are where the sweetest and most refined coffees are grown and harvested.

Historically, China Alta has been known for farming cattle, sugarcane, and trout, which are still farmed in pools along the river. Coffee is a relatively new crop in the region, having been planted in the last 30-40 years. Most coffee farmers purchased land in the area because it was more affordable than traditional coffee farming areas like Planadas and Chaparral in Tolima's south. Higher elevation areas were considered less prosperous than lower areas because they typically achieved lower yields. However, this region has since gained acclaim for the high cup quality, sweetness, and complexity of the coffees produced here.

The coffees in this lot were selectively hand-harvested, with most labour provided by the farmers and their families. The washed method was used to process the coffee at each farm's 'micro-beneficio' (mill). The coffee was pulped using a small manual or electric pulper and then placed into a fermentation tank, where it was fermented for around 48 hours (depending on the weather and the farm's location) and then washed using clean water from nearby rivers and streams.

The coffee was then carefully dried on parabolic beds constructed like a 'hoop house' greenhouse for 10-18 days. This protected the coffee from rain and prevented condensation from dripping back onto the drying beans. The greenhouse is made of plastic sheets and has adjustable walls to help with airflow and temperature control, ensuring the coffee could dry slowly and evenly.

Once dry, the coffee was delivered to Pergamino's warehouse, where it was cupped and graded and then rested in parchment until it was ready for export.

• Origin: Colombia
• Region: Tolima
• Farm/Coop/Mill: China Alta
• Producer: Aldemar Quimbayo, Alfredo Conde, Benedicto Puentes
• Variety: Caturra
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 2,000masl

• Roast Level: Light
• Aroma(8/10): 
• Sweetness(8/10): 
• Flavour(8.5/10):
• Aftertaste(8.5/10):
• Acidity(8.5/10): 
• Mouthfeel/Body(8/10): 
• Balance & Overall(8.5/10): 

• Espresso: 20g In, 40g Out, 27 Seconds
• Milk-based (150ml): 21g In, 42g Out, 30 Seconds, 150g Milk
• Filter: 15g In, 225g Out, 2 Minute 00 Seconds (45G Bloom, 30 Seconds)
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