People
This lot comes from a Colombian group around Garzón, Gafrucol. It is a group of 25 fruit producers from around the same town. In 2012, they started working together to promote their exotic tropical fruits, including lulo, granadilla, plantain and pitaya (dragon fruit, from which the name comes). The leader of the group is Hugo Gonzales Diaz, a passionate coffee producer.
After a few years, Hugo suggested starting promoting their coffee. It was a golden opportunity for all farmers since most of them have been growing coffee already. Coffee turned out to be a great choice because the quality they provide is truly exceptional.
We initially met Hugo through Alberto, our cupper who works in Santa Maria station. Alberto happens to come from the same town and has known Hugo for years. The farming area is located in several thermal zones ranging from 1700 to 2100m ideal for specialty coffee in Colombia. Their main harvest is from October to December, while their mid harvest from April to May.
Garzón, a town in the heart of Huila, Southern Colombia is known for its large quantity of quality coffees produced. The town is surrounded by several small valleys, each with their own microclimate. Thus, many of the best Colombian coffees are produced here thanks to the rich volcanic soils and the perfect coffee climate.
The lot name Dragon fruit, or Pitaya, came to treasure the sprout of Gafrucol: a group of tropical fruit producers. The Coffee Quest Colombia started working with the farmers of Gafrucol in 2020. It’s been a great success! The quality of their coffees is high and consistent, and their quantity also remains within a good volume, guaranteeing a steady supply of great coffee. In the upcoming years, we aim to bring in an increasing volume of 84+ coffee.
Which decaf method was used for El Dragón lot?
The decaffeination method implemented was the Ethyl Acetate, commonly called the ‘sugar cane’ technique. Ethyl Acetate (E.A.) is a volatile product with a sweet chemical scent similar to nail polish remover. The Ethanol (alcohol) that is part of E.A. is commonly extracted from fermented sugar cane. This is why Ethyl Acetate is often called the sugar cane technique.
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Price
Working as coffee farmers is an ongoing challenge influenced by several external factors. At The Coffee Quest, we support the core value of fair price, as we believe producers deserve recognition for their high-quality beans. Moreover, a fair income is an incentive for farmers to keep up with their good work.
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Planet
Our regional stations are strategically located, ensuring our best reach to assist local farmers. Our brand new station in Huila is situated right at Garzón, building and maintaining a direct connection with farmers from Gafrucol. The Coffee Quest Colombia provides tailored advice for local farmers not only on cup quality improvements but also on environmental issues, such as turning coffee pulp into compost or disposing of polluting wastewaters.
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