PHILOCOFFEA 433 COLOMBIA El Paraiso Typica

From the Planadas region of Tolima, this coffee is cultivated by Jorge, a young producer in his early 30s. Until the early 2000s, Planadas was affected by guerrilla activities and was not considered a wealthy region within Colombia. It's said that reaching the area required a challenging four-hour journey across unpaved roads and streams. However, upon arriving at the farm, its immense potential is always a pleasant surprise. Jorge is a third-generation farmer in the area, who only started producing Specialty Grade coffee about 4 or 5 years ago. He first participated in the Cup of Excellence (COE) in 2022, securing 3rd place, and achieved 24th place in the recently concluded 2023 COE, which further fueled his passion for coffee production. Jorge has a close relationship with haiz coffee; they often conduct cuppings together and adjust fermentation times. He is an important producer with whom haiz coffee hopes to establish a long-term partnership.

This time, we are introducing a Typica variety coffee personally processed by Jorge from the El Paraiso farm, located in the high-altitude region of Planadas. This coffee was also available last year and was very popular! Last time, we roasted it to a solid dark roast, but this time we opted for a light roast. During the first test roast, the initial heating phase was relatively gentle, resulting in an overall subdued flavor profile. To bring out more concentrated sweetness and fruity notes reminiscent of dried fruits, we adjusted the roasting curve: providing ample heat in the first half, then gradually reducing the heat to extend the Maillard reaction time. Although it's a light roast, the flavor is not flimsy; it possesses a certain body, making it an excellent coffee to savor with its rich fruitiness and long-lasting sweetness.

The dark roast introduced last time, using Anaerobic Natural processing, left a deep impression with its concentrated fruity aroma; this time, using Washed processing, the overall flavor is relatively lighter. Upon the first sip, fruity notes like apple and grape immediately emerge, showcasing a new side of this coffee. As you slowly savor it, flavors of raisin, almond, and a subtle fig-like sweetness gently spread in your mouth. Although it's a light roast, the mouthfeel is quite full-bodied, with complex flavors evolving in layers, making it a very substantial coffee.

As the temperature gradually decreases, the balance between acidity and sweetness becomes more comfortable, and the flavor layers continuously evolve. Rather than drinking it quickly, this is a good coffee that is worth taking the time to savor.