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FrontStreet Coffee Single Origin Recommendation: Colombia Antioquia, Cesar Mauricio Herrera

Here is this issue's Colombian coffee introduction.

Colombia Antioquia, Cesar Mauricio Herrera, Washed

Country of Origin: Colombia

Region: Antioquia

Farm: Finca Santa Elena

Coffee Farmer: Cesar Mauricio Herrera

Altitude: 2,000 meters

Variety: Caturra and other varieties

Processing Method: Fully washed; dry fermentation, shade-dried for 14-20 days

Flavor: Lemon cream, chocolate, stone fruit

The New-Generation Coffee Farmer Cesar Mauricio Herrera

Antioquia has traditionally been a typical commercial coffee region with large plantations, and that remains largely true today.

As a younger generation of coffee farmers has begun to take over production, however, things have finally started to change. Cesar Mauricio Herrera is one of them. He works with the Norwegian green coffee buyer Nordic Approach and a group of young farmers, together forming their own group led by Juan Saldarriaga. The team calls itself "New Generation," emphasizing new approaches to coffee cultivation.

The cherries are all hand-picked. After 36 hours of dry fermentation, they are washed, then defect beans are sorted out using running water, and the coffee is cleaned with fresh water before being sent to the drying fields. It is shade-dried for 14-20 days.

For Nordic Approach, Antioquia is a new region full of fresh opportunity. They found the coffee flavors here quite distinctive and full of potential. Exceptional performances in COE competitions over the past few years have proven that Antioquia has become one of Colombia's top producing regions.

Antioquia

Antioquia is famous for its beautiful people and abundant produce, making it the wealthiest region in Colombia. Located in the central-west of the country, it has a short stretch of coastline on the Caribbean Sea to the north and also borders Bolivia. The central and western ranges of the Andes cross the province, providing fertile soil and high altitude, ideal conditions for coffee. Besides the two main local crops of bananas and coffee, the region also produces abundant rice and orchids. The Spanish entered this indigenous-inhabited region in the 16th century and named it Antioquia.

Antioquia was originally obscure on the specialty coffee map, never appearing in Colombia's Cup of Excellence rankings. In 2014, however, it remarkably took three of the top five places, finishing 1st, 3rd, and 5th, which surprised everyone. The championship was won by Bella Vista farm, and that coffee was among the best available at The Roaster. Since then, Antioquia has stood on equal footing with famous regions such as Cauca, Huila, Tolima, and Nariño.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Antioquia is a newer name on Colombia's specialty map, but the classic regions still set the benchmark. FrontStreet Coffee's Colombian Huila comes from the country's most famous specialty area, with hillside plantings above 1,500 meters and abundant water from the rivers that converge there. Medium-dark roasted, it highlights dark chocolate, nutty sweetness, moderate oils, and a full body, and works as pour-over, French press, moka pot, or espresso.

For a more experimental Antioquia-style cup, try FrontStreet Coffee's Colombia Frontera Estate Sidra, a competition-winning variety processed with a double anaerobic natural method and roasted light-medium. It opens with jasmine and citrus, then layers passion fruit, blueberry, grape, and apricot over a bright, gentle acidity, with a touch of spice mid-palate and a lingering cocoa finish.

If you want an easy everyday espresso, the FrontStreet Specialty Blend balances Brazil's creamy nuts with Colombia's dark-chocolate bittersweetness and pulls a fine golden crema, blending especially well with milk for a rich, smooth latte.