El Paraiso
A comforting and sweet coffee with flavours of caramel, dark chocolate, Lime and apricot.
About this coffee
Cultivar: Variedad Colombia
Flavour notes: Caramel, dark chocolate, lime and apricot
Producer: El Paraiso by Jorge Osorio
Country: Colombia
Region: Iquira, Huila
Process: Washed
Roast profile: Light roast
About the cultivar
The Variedad Colombia (Colombia Variety) was developed by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC) through its research centre, Cenicafé, as part of a strategic effort to combat coffee leaf rust. This variety is a hybridization of Caturra, known for its compact size and high-quality cup profile, and the Timor Hybrid, which contributes strong resistance to leaf rust. Variedad Colombia was the first variety developed by Cenicafé with the goal of providing Colombian farmers with a coffee plant that offered not only higher yields but also improved resistance to diseases and a consistent cup profile. It was released to farmers in 1980, three years before coffee leaf rust arrived in Colombia, giving farmers a head start in managing this devastating disease. This variety boasts superior characteristics in terms of productivity, disease tolerance, and adaptability to diverse growing conditions. Its resistance to leaf rust has made it a cornerstone of Colombia’s coffee production, helping farmers reduce losses and maintain stable incomes. Additionally, Variedad Colombia retains much of the cup quality associated with traditional varieties like Caturra, often featuring bright acidity, medium body, and flavour notes of citrus, red fruits, and caramel. As one of the traditional varieties of Colombia, Variedad Colombia has played a crucial role in shaping the country’s coffee landscape. It represents a successful balance between innovation and tradition, combining the resilience of modern hybrids with good flavour profiles.
How the coffee was produced
Jorge, along with his team of pickers, harvests only the ripest cherries. Then, the cherries are placed in the sorting area at El Paraiso farm, where the sorting team hand-sorts and floats them to remove any low-density, underripe, or defective cherries. After sorting, Jorge exposes the cherries to 30 hours of underwater fermentation, a critical step that enhances the coffee's flavor profile. This controlled fermentation follows the Cofinet protocol, allowing the sugars, organic acids, and other compounds within the cherries to break down gradually, stimulating the development of a sweet and bright profile. The 30-hour fermentation period is carefully calibrated to balance flavor complexity with the coffee's inherent qualities. This results in a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity, giving the washed coffees a bright and lively character. After fermentation, the cherries are pulped, and the mucilage is thoroughly washed away. Water is recycled and reused for floating subsequent batches of cherries. Once the coffees are washed, they are spread in the parabolic dryers in thin layers to ensure consistent airflow and exposure to sunlight. The coffees are closely monitored to ensure even drying and optimal quality. We aim for 9.5%–11% moisture content, which is the perfect point for us.
Roaster's Notes
When sourcing coffees for Colombia, it is easy to get distracted by will, experimental fermentations or intensely funky profiles. This lot from El Paraiso takes a completely different path. It isn't loud, funky or trying to shock your palate with eccentric flavors. Instead, it is a masterclass in classic, clean and execution.
The coffee represents years of hard-earned experience and meticulous agricultural care. Every step of the washed process - from selective hand-picking to the controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks - is handled with absolute precision.
The result of this dedication isn't an unpredictable novelty cup, but a coffee that delivers a remarkably consistent, steady and clean taste. profile. Featuring comforting and classic notes of caramel, rich chocolate and subtle red fruits, it is designed for the true coffee lover's daily ritual. It is a steady, reliable and beautifully balanced cup that you can return to every single morning without ever growing tired of it. It is simply an exceptional cup of good coffee made to be enjoyed everyday.
