Sometimes you just don’t feel like drinking a rich, heavy coffee. This Colombian Geisha from The Naughty Dog roastery offers the exact opposite and will delight anyone who enjoys a lighter profile. Drinking it is more like taking a moment to calmly brew your favorite Earl Grey. Instead of the typical bitterness of coffee, you’ll be surprised by a clean cup with aromas of jasmine and roses. The more pronounced acidity is then very pleasantly complemented by the sweet taste of vanilla. It’s a refreshing and straightforward experience that’s perfect for a laid-back afternoon.
To find this special edition, we must travel to the Tolima region of Colombia. In the Ortega area, on lands known as Altos Guayabos, farmer Aristobulo Rayo tends his crops. He grows his coffee trees at an elevation of 1,830 meters. For this lot, he chose the famous Geisha variety, which is renowned worldwide for its distinctive floral profile. The farm’s high elevation ensures a cooler climate, allowing the cherries to ripen very slowly and develop more complex flavors.
Processing such a rare variety requires a delicate approach to bring out its natural characteristics. Aristobulo therefore chose the classic washed method. Workers first hand-pick only the ripest cherries and immediately remove the outer skin. This is followed by a fermentation phase in water tanks, where the beans are thoroughly cleaned of any remaining pulp. After being thoroughly rinsed with clean water, the coffee is slowly sun-dried. It is precisely this clean process that frees the beans from the disruptive effects of strong fruit fermentation and allows the plant’s original genetics to shine through. The resulting beverage thus acquires its renowned tea-like character.
- Farmer: Aristobulo Rayo
- Farm: La Victoria
- Elevation: 1,830 m above sea level