Colombia DRUNKEN CHERRY from the Dutch roaster Sprout Coffee Roasters is a coffee that isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd. As soon as you open the package, you’re greeted by an intense aroma, and in the cup, the flavors of maraschino cherries, amaretto, and Earl Grey tea fully unfold. The resulting profile is distinctly fruity, sweet, and unconventional, with the individual notes blending beautifully to create an unmistakable experience. If you enjoy discovering experimental coffees with a bold character, this one will definitely not disappoint you.
The coffee was processed at the El Vergel Estate in Colombia’s Tolima region, run by Martha, Shady, and Elias. The family has been involved in agriculture since 1995 and has focused on growing specialty coffee since 2010. In 2019, they founded the Forest Coffee project, which aims to connect farmers with roasters around the world, promote fair trade practices, and develop innovative processing methods. Today, the project brings together approximately 250 farming families from the Tolima, Huila, and Caldas regions. This coffee is made from Colombia and Caturra varieties grown at an altitude of around 1, 750 meters.
After being hand-harvested and carefully sorted, the coffee cherries first undergo a 48-hour anaerobic pre-fermentation. This is followed by a second fermentation phase using selected yeasts, with natural aromas of red cherries and sugarcane, which lasts approximately five days and creates this coffee’s distinctive flavor profile. After fermentation, the cherries are first pre-dried on African drying beds in direct sunlight and then finished drying in controlled mechanical silos. The entire process culminates in a 30-day stabilization period for the beans, during which the flavors harmoniously blend together. The result is a distinctive, experimental co-fermented coffee with a clean profile, rich sweetness, and an unmistakable fruity character.