Dark Colombia Espresso

Tasting notes: A dark, vibrant, and elegant espresso with a strong, heavy body and rich caramel sweetness. Well-structured and layered, it reveals flavors of candied wild berries, toffee, and dark chocolate, complemented by hints of caramelized toasted nuts. The creamy mouthfeel ties it all together, creating a complex and unforgettable cup.

Body: 5/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Acidity: 1/5

Processing: washed

Mix of Colombian varieties: Caturra, Castillo & Colombia

Altitude: 1800 meters above sea level

Origin: Guadalupe (town), Central Huila, Colombia

The Story Behind the Coffee

Guadalupe is a small town located among the rolling hills of central Huila. It’s not on most people’s radar, but it should be—because this is where some of Colombia’s most exceptional coffees are grown. The farmers here aren’t running massive plantations; they’re smallholders with family-owned plots of just 2–3 hectares. But what they lack in size, they make up for in expertise and passion. These farmers know their land, their trees and their craft inside out, and it shows in the coffee they produce.

This lot from Guadalupe is a blend of the best coffees from the region. Why a blend? Farmers from this area have small family plots and individually are only able to produce lots of small volume—which are, nevertheless, delicious. Rather than miss out on these small treasures, blending allows them to reach enough scale to make it feasible to export. It’s a win-win: you get an incredible cup of coffee, and they get access to the global market.

Coocentral: More Than Just a Cooperative

Let’s talk about Coocentral, the cooperative behind this coffee. Founded in 1975, the Cooperativa Central de Caficultores del Huila (Coocentral) is dedicated to the mission of creating value and a higher well-being for its associated members and their communities. Its area of ​​influence includes 7 coffee-growing municipalities in central Huila: Guadalupe, Garzón, Gigante, Agrado, Pital, Tarqui and Suaza. Today, with 3,747 associated producers, Coocentral isn’t just about buying and selling coffee—it’s about empowering farmers and elevating their livelihoods. By driving innovation in coffee production, the cooperative ensures high-quality products and services, making coffee farming in Huila both sustainable and profitable. Ultimately, Coocentral is committed to building a better life for its farmers.

From Farm to Cup

Harvesting:

The coffee cherries are handpicked in 3–4 passes, which basically means the farmers go through the same trees multiple times to pick only the ripest cherries. It’s labor-intensive, but it’s worth it—the second and third passes are where the magic happens, yielding the most uniform and flavorful beans.

Processing:

The coffee is fully washed, using traditional methods. After pulping, the beans ferment for 1–2 days (depending on the weather) to develop their unique flavor profile. Then they’re washed, graded, and sorted to remove any impurities.

Drying:

Drying coffee in Huila isn’t easy—it’s humid, it rains a lot, and the climate is unpredictable. But these farmers know their craft. They use parabolic dryers (think greenhouses for coffee) to protect the beans from the elements while allowing for slow, even drying. This process can take 10–18 days, but it’s what gives the coffee its depth and complexity.

Why You’ll Love It

Our Dark Colombia is a coffee with substance—a strong, heavy body, rich caramel sweetness, and layers of flavor that unfold with every sip. Think candied wild berries, toffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of caramelized toasted nuts. It’s complex but balanced, with a creamy finish that lingers.

Whether you brew it as an espresso or with a moka pot, this coffee delivers. It’s a taste of Central Huila, a testament to the skill of its farmers and proof that great coffee can also do great things.

Brew it, savor it, and decide for yourself.