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What Coffee Variety is Ombligon? Introduction to Colombia Dividing Line Estate's Ombligon Coffee

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, In FrontStreet Coffee's coffee bean list, there is the name "Ombligon" in the Colombia section. Many people will find it interesting and curious, asking what is Ombligon coffee? Why is it called Ombligon? In fact, Ombligon is a relatively new Arabica variety, although currently

Introduction to Ombligon Coffee

Among the coffee bean selections at FrontStreet Coffee, you'll find a curious entry in the Colombia section called "Ombligon," which many find intriguing. This often raises questions: What exactly is Ombligon coffee? And why is it called "Ombligon"?

In reality, Ombligon (meaning "big navel" in Spanish) is a relatively new Arabica variety. Although its exact origin remains unclear, local coffee farmers claim it's an Ethiopian variety. Currently, the Ombligon variety is cultivated exclusively in the Huila region of southwestern Colombia.

The coffee beans of this variety have quite distinctive characteristics. They are large and similar in shape to papaya, with a protruding bottom featuring a small circle that resembles a "navel." Because of this distinctive feature, local coffee farmers named it Ombligon, which translates from Spanish as "big navel."

Like the Sidra variety, Ombligon gained recognition through coffee competitions. In the 2023 World Barista Championship, Australian competitor Jack Simpson secured third place using Ombligon coffee beans.

Genetic Origins and Growing Characteristics

Later, genetic testing by World Coffee Research revealed that the Ombligon variety has certain connections to Ethiopian native varieties. Therefore, it's believed to be a natural mutation that occurred after Ethiopian native varieties arrived in Colombia, though exactly how they reached Colombia remains uncertain.

At the same time, growers discovered that Ombligon is quite similar to the commonly found Caturra variety in Colombia. It shares characteristics such as broad leaves, relatively dense coffee cherries, vertically growing branches, high yield potential, and good resistance to leaf rust. These qualities make it popular among local coffee farmers. Additionally, after local cultivation trials, farmers found that Ombligon achieves its best flavor profile when grown at altitudes between 1,600-1,800 meters.

FrontStreet Coffee's Ombligon

Currently, FrontStreet Coffee has sourced Ombligon variety coffee beans from Finca El Diviso in Colombia. The farm was established by Jose Uribe Lasso in 1996 and is now operated by his grandson Nestor Lasson and his brothers.

After taking over, Nestor Lasson has focused on cultivating rare coffee varieties, including the Sidra and Ombligon that FrontStreet Coffee offers. The farm also grows other exceptional varieties such as Pink Bourbon, Papayo, Chiroso, and Bourbon Aji.

Finca El Diviso: Region and Processing

Finca El Diviso is located in Pitalito, a town in the Huila region, covering 15 hectares in what can be described as the heartland of Colombian coffee. This area is surrounded by mountains, with coffee cultivated on slopes above 1,500 meters altitude. Nearby, the famous Huila volcano and the Magdalena River provide mineral-rich volcanic soil and water resources, making coffee from this region renowned for its excellent quality.

This FrontStreet Coffee Ombligon from Finca El Diviso undergoes double anaerobic processing. When brewed, it reveals subtle fermented wine aromas, with fruity acidity reminiscent of blackcurrant and grapefruit. It offers berry and orange flavors, with an overall profile reminiscent of pineapple juice. The texture is smooth, with a tea-like finish and rich layered complexity.