Colombia Organic - Gaitania (2022 Crop)

Heavy body, semisweet chocolate, apple pie
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Bag Weight 70 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2021/22
Status Spot
Lot Number P609261-1
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About This Coffee

Although the tiny mountain valley town of Gaitania is located in the Tolima department of Colombia, named after the volcano Tolima, it is the volcano Huila that looms on the horizon to the south. The northern foothills of Huila, with their nutrient rich volcanic soils, are home to the many small coffee farms that surround Gaitania. Organic production here developed as a result of limited resources due to the history of conflict in the area. Cherries are hand-picked, sorted, and depulped, then fermented in tanks for 18-24 hours. The parchment is then dried in parabolic driers for another 10 to 18 days.

Country of Origin Colombia
Region Planadas, Ataco & Gaitania, Tolima
Producer Type Small Holder Farmers
Processing Washed
Processing Description Fermented 18-24 hours, parabolic driers
Growing Altitude 1550m - 2050m
Harvest Season 2021/22
Bag Weight 70 KG BAG
Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Castillo, Caturra, Colombia
Screen Size 90% over screen 15
Certifications Organic certified

History of Colombian Coffee 

As with many coffee origins, it is believed that coffee was first brought to Colombia by priests, arriving, perhaps, within a decade or two after coffee first came to the Americas via the Caribbean in the first half of the 17th century. It was likely a garden crop grown for local consumption and barter for decades. Unlike other coffee regions, we have the story of a priest named Francisco Romero, who could be called the father of commercial coffee cultivation in Colombia. The folkloric tale goes that in the early 1800’s, Father Francisco, hearing confessions in the north eastern town of Salazar de la Palmas, assigned planting coffee to his parishioners as penance for their sins. The Archbishop of Colombia heard about this and ordered all priests to adopt the practice. Commercial production of coffee expanded quickly, moving into regions where the growing conditions were ideal. 

Growing Coffee in Colombia 

Even though it’s been 4,000 years, the soil resulting from the last major eruption of Tolima is still considered “young soil,” filled with nutrients that are no longer found at the same levels in old soil. There is a long list of elements on offer in volcanic soil that are fading or absent in other soils, such as high levels of potassium and nitrogen. Also present is something called “Boron,” which arrived from outer space a long time ago, and is important to cell walls, the creation of enzymes, and the production of flowers and fruit, meaning Boron contributes to yield. Beyond the nutrients, the structure of volcanic soil is also beneficial to coffee growing. It can soak up and hold moisture while, at the same time, facilitate good drainage so water doesn’t pool, which is not good for coffee plant roots. Coffee plants like to take a drink, then take a break. Also, volcanic soils are usually found on an incline, which also helps with drainage. 

  • Region Planadas, Ataco & Gaitania, Tolima
  • Producer Type Small Holder Farmers
  • Processing Washed
  • Processing Description Fermented 18-24 hours, parabolic driers
  • Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Castillo, Caturra, Colombia
  • Min Growing Altitude 1550m
  • Max Growing Altitude 2050m
  • Screen Size 90% over screen 15
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot No
  • Status Spot
  • Certifications Organic certified
  • Coffee Grade COL CA WA EXCO EP10
  • CTRM Contract Number P609261-1
  • Country of Origin Colombia
  • Warehouse Continental NJ

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