Fruit liqueur, soft caramel, and a handful of jelly candies. Boozy Stonefruits from the Dutch roaster Sprout brings these sweet flavors together in a single cup. At first, bold notes of stone fruit liqueur come through, accompanied by a richness reminiscent of caramel fudge. The finish is rounded out by the flavor of fruit jelly candies. This Colombian coffee offers a pronounced fruity character and plenty of sweetness that you’ll enjoy whether brewed as a filter coffee or an espresso.
Behind this coffee is Jhonatan Gasca from the family-run Zarza Coffee project. It comes from the Bella Vista farm in the Bruselas area of Colombia’s Huila region, where it grows at an elevation of 1,750 to 1,800 meters. The Gasca family has been involved in coffee for three generations and, under the Zarza Coffee brand since 2022, has been combining its experience with new processing methods. Beekeeping is also part of their farm operations, which helps support biodiversity. Care for the coffee begins with selective harvesting and continues with rigorous monitoring of fermentation and other post-harvest steps.
The Colombia variety underwent natural processing with extended fermentation. The whole cherries first undergo a brief oxidation process, which activates naturally occurring yeasts. They then ferment in a closed or partially closed environment while the ambient temperature is monitored. This process develops wine-like characteristics, notes of fermented fruit, and pronounced sweetness. This is followed by slow drying on raised beds for 20 to 30 days, with regular turning. Once the moisture content reaches 10 to 11%, the coffee rests for another 10 to 20 days to allow its profile to stabilize before hulling.
- Producer: Jhonatan Gasca, Zarza Coffee
- Farm: Bella Vista
- Elevation: 1,750–1,800 m above sea level