COLOMBIA - Hermel Alvarez Pink Bourbon

Origin Colombia

Variety Pink Bourbon

Region Huila

Producer Hermel Alvarez

Process Washed

Altitude 1450-1690 masl

Roast Espresso

Profile Cherry, Mango

In the vibrant landscapes of Colombia, nestled amidst the verdant folds of Anserma, Caldas, a story of endurance and success is cultivated. This story is woven around the Cooperativa de Caficultores de Anserma, a pillar of community spirit and agricultural prowess, founded in 1967. The Coop rose from the collective willpower of the associated coffee growers, a testament to their shared ambition to achieve better value for their coffee.

Among these coffee growers is Hermel Alvarez, a 60-year-old farmer with an undying passion for the art of coffee cultivation. His land spans a generous 15ha, of which 13 are dedicated to coffee cultivation and the rest preserved as forest land, enhancing the biodiversity of his property.

The terrain of Hermel's farm is dotted with a range of coffee varieties. geisha, bourbon, castillo, supremo. His meticulous processing of the coffee cherries, whether natural or fully washed, contributes to the rich taste and quality his beans are renowned for.

For his naturally processed coffee, Hermel takes his cherries to the Coop wet mill. Here, the cherries undergo a cleansing process, separating unwanted particles and thoroughly washing the cherries. The cherries are then selected optically, with greener ones earmarked for washed process coffee and the most mature ones for the natural process. The coffee is finally packed into GrainPro bags, providing stability for up to 15 years.

For his fully washed coffee, Hermel believes in a simplicity of process. By handpicking only the ripest cherries and employing a floating process to filter out inferior ones, he ensures a minimum of 95% of his cherries are at optimum ripeness. 

Through their commitment and the facilities of the Coop, these farmers maintain the rich coffee tradition of their region and add their unique notes to the symphony of Colombian coffee.