2010 Colombia C.O.E 21st Place | Nariño Las Cochas Las Cajas Caturra

2010 Colombia C.O.E. 21st Place | Las Cochas Farm's Caturra and Colombia Varieties from Nariño Province

Colombia is currently the world's third-largest coffee-producing country. Originally second only to Brazil, it has been surpassed in recent years by Vietnam, which specializes in growing and producing Robusta beans. Colombia first began planting so-called commercial beans in the mid-1830s, and by the 20th century coffee had become its largest export agricultural commodity. The local mountainous terrain, combined with diverse tropical microclimates, provides an ideal coffee-growing environment. The total planting area nationwide is approximately 875,000 hectares, with main varieties including Caturra, Colombia, Tipica, Bourbon, Maragogype, and Tabi. Farms and cooperatives of all scales are operated by more than 500,000 farmers across 590 municipalities and 14 major coffee-producing regions, including Nariño, Cauca, Meta, Huila, Tolima, Quindio, Caldas, Risaralda, Antioquia, Valle, Cundinamarca, Boyaca, Santander, and Norte de Santander. In total, 2 million Colombians depend on coffee cultivation for their livelihood, contributing 12.5% to the local agricultural GDP. Coffee bean production accounts for 75% of exports, making it a major source of foreign exchange income for Colombia.

Traditionally, ripe coffee cherries are processed using the washed method. Over the past 15 years, however, Colombia's coffee research center has developed an eco-friendly system that requires almost no water, reducing local water pollution by 90% and water usage by 95%. This dry processing method not only effectively protects the ecosystem but also ensures stable coffee quality, and such dry processing is unique in Colombia. Farmers on small farms spread the parchment beans on the flat roofs of their homes for sun-drying, while in higher-altitude areas with colder climates plastic sheds are used. Colombia's climate and temperature diversity is extremely rich, and depending on the region coffee can be grown and produced almost year-round. The main harvest season runs from October to February of the following year, with November and December the peak period, while the secondary harvest comes later and varies with the microclimate of each producing region.

The farm owner is 64 years old this year and was born in the city of Samaniego, Nariño. The farm is operated jointly by the couple and their children. Because it is a family farm, Mr. Melo works very hard, continuously improving and seeking progress, hoping to provide his children and grandchildren with a good education and to pass on the skills the family relies on for its livelihood, steadily improving the family's living conditions.

Las Cochas Farm is 12 kilometers from the city of Samaniego, sheltered by local vegetation. It is a traditional farm where coffee beans are processed with traditional equipment and then naturally sun-dried. The farm owner is quite active in community activities, enthusiastically taking part in social care and coffee-related skill seminars, and making unremitting efforts in local forest protection and environmental protection.

Property Characteristics

Farm Name: Las Cochas

Farmer: Melo

Rank: 21

City: Samaniego

Region: Nariño Province

Country: Colombia

Farm Size: 9.60 hectares

Coffee Growing Area: 2.60 hectares

Altitude: 2,080 meters

Coffee Characteristics

Variety: 70% Caturra, 30% Colombia

Processing System: Washed Coffee

Weight: 2,469.15 pounds (1,119.99 kgs)

This is the sticker of the Colombia C.O.E. Coffee Competition award-winning beans. All Las Cochas Farm coffee beans purchased directly come with this commemorative sticker.

Top Jury Descriptions

Cupping roast level: 60 seconds after first crack begins (Cinnamon roast)

Aroma/Flavor: Honey, chocolate, citrus, melon, caramel, plum, raisin

Acidity: Lemon, tartaric acid, grapefruit

Complexity and Other: Smooth mouthfeel, creamy body, persistent sweet aftertaste with a cool mint sensation. Nariño Province represents the best of Colombian coffee. In this competition, Nariño Province occupied almost all ranking positions, with farms of all sizes competing like flowers in bloom. The award-winning beans from Las Cochas Farm have a distinct nutty aroma. After brewing, they primarily show citrus and plum fruit notes. The acidity curve in the mouth is rounded, without earthy flavors. This is a very delicate and sweet coffee from southern Colombia.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommended Brewing:

Dripper: Hario V60

Water Temperature: 90 degrees Celsius

Grind Size: Fuji Royal grinder setting 3.5

Brewing Method: Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, 15 g coffee grounds. First pour 25 g of water for a 25 s bloom. Second pour to 120 g of water, then stop. Wait until the water level in the coffee bed drops to half, then continue pouring slowly until reaching 225 g total. Extraction time approximately 2:00.

Analysis: Three-stage brewing clearly defines the front, middle, and back-end flavors of the coffee. Because the V60 has many ribs and drains quickly, pausing the pour can extend the extraction time for sun-dried coffee.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Competition lots such as this Las Cochas coffee are prized for a sweet, balanced profile built on honey, caramel, citrus, and plum. If that combination appeals to you, FrontStreet Coffee's Cerrado Pulped Natural offers a similar caramel-and-chocolate sweetness at an everyday price: it is a medium-roasted red Bourbon from Brazil's well-known Cerrado region, with aromas of cream, peanut, toast, caramel, and hazelnut and a round, low-acid cup. For a rarer experience, FrontStreet Coffee's Queen's Farm Yellow Bourbon from Mogiana adds a clean sugarcane sweetness along with fruit and chocolate notes. Both beans are forgiving in a pour-over and also perform well in a moka pot or espresso machine, so you can enjoy this style of sweet, balanced South American coffee any day.