Colombia is a diverse group of growing regions spread from North to South along the three “cordilleras,” the mountain ranges that are the Northern extensions of the Andes. Colombian coffees can be outstanding. Most coffee, especially from the Southern growing areas of Huila, Cauca, Narino and Tolima, comes from small family farms, and when the picking and processing are done well they can be exceptional: Silky body, cane sugar sweetness, floral hints and traces of tropical fruits are found in the best Colombia coffees.
Today’s coffee comes to us from Finca Rosales, in Narino, Colombia and is a single farmer lot from a grower named Hector Jose Franco Lopez.
The coffee is extremely high-grown at a whopping 1950 meters above sea level and milled to AAA standards.
Welcome to my Table, here in the corner of this cafe. Today we’re sipping the Colombia Finca Rosales, from Mountain Air Roasting in Asheville, North Carolina, courtesy of Craft Coffee. Feel free to pull up a chair.
THE BASICS:
origin: Narino, Colombia
farm: Finca Rosales
producer: Hector Jose Franco Lopez
association: N/A
elevation: 1950 meters above sea level
cultivars: Caturra
process: fully washed, patio dried
certifications: standard
THE BREW:
method: Hario V60
grind: 17, Preciso
coffee: 30 g
water: 450 mL
bloom: 1:30
pour: 2:00 concentric pour, 1:00 drop
THE COFFEE:
The Colombia Finca Rosales emits a beautiful, bright, and bouncy aroma. Floral notes of marigold and lilac burst out of the cup and introduce further scents of brown sugar, honey, nougat, and lemon zest.
The liveliness of the aroma, I have to say, is pretty indicative of my first few sips of the coffee immediately post-brew. Meadow flowers flutter at the front of every sip, rising up and tickling the roof of the mouth; the coffee has a rich, creamy texture with flavors of caramel and vanilla; there are even hints of maple syrup, marshmallow, and molasses.
As the coffee cools off, the flood gates open wide and a deluge of bright, lively flavors come rushing over the palate. Apple, sweet plantain, and a complex, zesty, tart lemon lime acidity that really dazzles at the forefront of every sip.
Medium body; creamy mouthfeel; citrus acidity; clean finish.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
It has been a shockingly long time since the last time a Colombian coffee graced the Table, but the Finca Rosales, from Mountain Air Roasting, came really close to making up for the region’s curiously long absence.
This was a really fun, really unique sipping experience.
I only wish that it lasted longer at the Table.
Did you like this? Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome here at the Table! Pull up a chair and speak your mind by entering a comment below. Also remember to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!
Andrew is a husband, father, dog lover, craft beverage enthusiast, content creator, and niche market Internet celebrity. Formerly of A Table in the Corner of the Cafe and The Pulitzer Project and contributor to Barista Magazine and Mental Floss, he’s been writing on the Internet for years.