About This Coffee
El Jardín spans 25 hectares in Huila, Colombia, between 1,550 and 1,650 meters above sea level. The farm is led by Arnubio Alvear, a third-generation coffee producer whose commitment to quality runs through everything the farm does. Rather than chasing volume, Arnubio has built El Jardín around an exclusive focus on exotic varieties, personally overseeing every step from cultivation through to final processing to ensure each lot reaches its full potential.
Cultivation
El Jardín cultivates a range of varieties across its 25 hectares, including Pink Bourbon, Bourbon Sidra, Geisha, Bourbon Aji (Pimienta), Ombligon, Caturra, Chiroso and Red Bourbon. Huila's volcanic soils are among the most fertile in Colombia, providing the mineral-rich foundation these varieties need to express their full character. Arnubio's approach to cultivation is defined by his commitment to preserving the purity and potential of each varietal, applying meticulous traditional methods at every stage to ensure that nothing is lost between the tree and the cup.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
During harvest, Arnubio and his team selectively handpick ripe cherries, maintaining strict variety separation. Cherry is sorted by flotation and placed in sealed tanks for 24 hours to initiate controlled oxidation before pulping.
The parchment with mucilage is placed in stainless steel tanks and CO2 is injected to flush any lingering oxygen. The parchment is then fermented for an additional 48 hours. After fermentation, the coffee is fully washed before being transferred to patios for drying, and it takes 10 to 15 days to fully dry depending on weather conditions.
About Huila
The Huila region is one of the most well-known coffee growing areas of Colombia. The Department of Huila has a population of 1.125 million and is located in the southwest of the country. The capital of the department is Neiva, a city of about 380,000.
Along with Cauca and Nariño, Huila is one the three departments where the Colombian Massif is located. A massif is a group of mountain ranges and the Colombian Massif, which is known locally as Nudo de Almaguer, provides up to 70% of safe drinking and agricultural water for the Colombian population.
The Magdalena River, Colombia’s largest river, runs through the region, providing plenty of water for coffee farming and generating (directly and indirectly) up to 86% of Colombia's GDP. The mountain range also features the fertile volcanic soil so typical to the Andean Mountains.
Ombligon
Ombligon comes from "ombligo", the Spanish word for belly button. It’s a local name for a variety that has a belly button-like shape. The exact origin of this variety is unclear. Some conjecture that it is a new variety that was selected from varieties growing at an abandoned CENICAFE research center in Huila. Others think it may be another term for Pacamara. Either way, when treated with a quality focus, Ombligon produces an enjoyable, high-quality cup.
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.