About This Coffee
Rodrigo Sanchez Valencia is a third-generation coffee farmer at Finca Monteblanco. His grandfather began cultivating coffee here several decades ago and today, Rodrigo works to preserve the natural diversity and productivity of the farm.
Cultivation
Finca Monteblanco is located near Cueva de los Guacharos, one of the 59 protected parks in Colombia. The Suaza river also runs nearby and provides fresh water for cultivation and processing.
Rodrigo cultivates Caturra, Geisha, Pink Bourbon and Pacamara varieties on Finca Monteblanco. The high altitude and superb microclimate of Acevedo, Huila creates the ideal conditions for cultivating specialty coffees.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
The Caturra Purpura cherries are selectively handpicked at the peak of ripeness. Upon arrival at the processing site, the cherries undergo an initial quality check where Brix degrees are measured. After floating to remove impurities, the cherries are placed into 200-liter plastic tanks that have been prepared with an 80-liter solution of specially cultivated microorganisms and citrus fruits. This Citric Natural process involves fermenting the coffee for 180 hours, during which the balance of Brix degrees and pH is closely monitored to enhance the coffee’s natural fruit notes without overpowering its inherent flavors.
This careful fermentation and processing method results in a coffee that not only carries the distinct characteristics of the Caturra Purpura variety but also embodies the passion and dedication of the Monteblanco farm.
Clearpath
Founded by experienced agricultural trader Vicente Mejía, Clearpath Coffee works with producers in Colombia and exports high quality, sustainable single-origin coffees from smallholders, cooperatives and estates. Clearpath partners with producers to support ethical, sustainable growth through fair prices, direct communication with buyers and building long term relationships with sustainability-minded buyers.
Coffee in Colombia
Colombia has been producing and exporting coffee renowned for their full body, bright acidity and rich aftertaste, since the early 19th century.
Colombia boasts a wide range of climates and geographic conditions that produce their own unique flavors in coffee. This also means that harvest times can vary quite a bit. In fact, between all its different regions, Colombia produces fresh crop nearly all year round.
The increasing focus on the specialty industry is changing the way traders and farmers do business. It is becoming more common for farmers to isolate the highest quality beans in their lots to market separately. These higher-quality lots are often sold under specific brands or stories.
Besides its wide variety of cup profiles, Colombia has quickly expanded its certification options over the past 10 years. The most common certifications available are Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic.