About This Coffee
Our Magdalena coffee is a tribute to the great Magdalena River, the lifeblood of the Huila region that provides clean water and drives commerce for the countless communities located near it. Like the river it’s named for, our Magdalena coffee is vibrant and supports the livelihoods of the communities that produce it. Plus, it’s certified Organic! What could be better?
This lot is produced by smallholder producers with Terra Verde, a cooperative based in Pitalito, Huila. The 64 members of Terra Verde cultivate Caturra, Castillo and Colombia varieties on small farms that are 1 to 3 hectares on average. Their farms are situated at the lofty altitudes of 1,700 to 1,950 meters above sea level.
Cultivation
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.
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.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
Coffee is selectively handpicked by smallholder producers and their families. Once picked, ripe, red cherry is processed on individual farms. Most farmers use a small drum pulper to pulp cherry. Then, they place coffee in tiled or cement tanks to ferment. Following fermentation, parchment is washed in clean water and then laid on patios or marquesinas on the roof of their home. Producers rake parchment frequently to ensure even drying.
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.
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.