Colombia - Narino

Roast: Medium
Variety:Castillo, Catimor, Colombia
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1900 m.a.s.l
Producer: Finca El Limon - Jose Elias Dominguez
Notes: Cherry Cordial, Meyer Lemon, Molasses

El Limon farm occupies a uniquely privileged geographical position within an area with a long and complex history. For many years the avocado was the star product but all this changed when the guerrilla, poppy and coca entered the region. There were many years of instability and violence that forced a large portion of the local families to flee to the capitals.

Years later, once the conflict was controlled, the farmers returned and decided on masse to plant coffee. Sunlight, rain cycles and soils with high organic matter content created a fertile ecosystem for coffee cultivation here.

Despite adversity, the residents of the area have not forgotten their ancestral customs, such as the carnival of "Los Blancos y Negros", a carnival that is celebrated every January. It tells the history of Colombia, the indigenous traditions, the slavery and the victory of independence from Spain. This community is part of the protected area of the indigenous community of Aponte, with approximately 5,000 inhabitants of the Inga ethnic group from the Quechua. Their community has its own language and has special regulations imposed by its community, under the command of the indigenous governor and the indigenous guard. Community members or day laborers are hired during the harvest season, while Jose's farm maintains his own farm throughout the year. Cherry is processed for defects, depulped and dried on-site.

Parchment coffee is loaded onto a mule for transport or driven to the nearest dry mill.
When coffee does not require immediate attention, Jose focus on growing food for his family, improving the construction of his processing area or home. Growing coffee is a family tradition and is one of the most exported agricultural crops next to cut flowers in Colombia. In this iconic area where tradition and ancestral knowledge coexist with new modernization trends, the natural result is a coffee of exceptional quality.