Colombia La Victoria - Espresso

Profile: Milk chocolate, Kirsch, Sweet and Balanced, Full Bodied
Area: Santa Maria, Huila
Farm: La Victoria
Varietal: Caturra, Typica
Processing: Washed

We buy this coffee through The Coffee Quest Colombia, they have a collaboration with Association La Victoria in Santa Maria. It is an interesting partnership taking the traditional buying station model which is commonly found around Latin America, and extending it with a sensorial quality lab. In this way farmers can receive a higher price for their crop when a targeted quality cup score is reached. It results in a 100% price increase compared to traditional buying stations in the area. When farmers reach an even higher level cup score of their crop, it can be sold as separate micro lots with an extra price advantage. The lab offers the association members workshops focused on quality and consistency.

Within two years the association grew from the original 30 members to 200 members this year. The successful start allowed La Victoria to work on environmental improvements in their area. Important factors are waste water reduction from the washing station/process, training & nursery of native trees, fruit trees and coffee plants. A part of the association committed to become organic certified within the coming three years.