Colombia Supremo La Argelia coffee (pronounced Ar-helia) is exclusive to our company and is based on a direct relationship with a very small, family owned farm in Manizales, Colombia in the Caldas region. The farm has less than 10 acres of coffee planted and produced a tiny output of only 12 sacks of Supremo grade coffee. Coffee from the farm took first place in the local "Alto del Naranjo" Festival. Harvested throughout December, La Argelia has just arrived in our warehouse (mid April 2008) after processing, a proper resting period in parchment and export to the US.
Don Horacio is the proud owner of La Argelia. He lives with his wife, his two sons, and his father and mother in law in a beautiful steep hill called Altos del Naranjo only 20 minutes away from Manizales. The land possesses a high concentration of volcanic ash, and has good chemical and physical properties for quality coffee cultivation. The temperature is mild ranging from 60 to 80 degrees F and there is plentiful rainfall.
About 90% of the output is Caturra varietal with Typica making up the rest. When the harvest arrives, Don Horacio and his family handpick ripe cherries. The selected cherries are depulped the same day and fermented in concrete tanks on the property for approximately 14 to 16 hours. The beans are then washed with fresh pure water from the hill and are sun dried on the farm’s roof. Once dried, the coffee in parchment is taken to the nearby collective to rest and finally milled prior to export.
This coffee of this crop season will only be available by Willoughby's Coffee & Tea (as well as our unroasted coffee division Roastmasters.com. Don Horacio and his family receive direct benefit from our relationship with them, providing them with a premium price as a reward for their efforts to produce and care for coffee of excellence. They are also proud that their coffee will be sold separately and they will receive individual recognition. We will convey any comments you may wish to pass along to them by filling out a comments form.
La Argelia is Utz Certified. Customers who wish to send comments directly to the farm or its family should fill out our form and we will pass your remarks to them.
Cup Characteristics: Good sweetness and balance with citric and honey notes. A sweet, caramel cup with long lasting citrus aftertaste. Acidity is medium to high and coffee has a creamy mouthfeel. Very well balanced.
