The Colombian NESTOR LASSO from the České Budějovice-based roastery Kmen Coffee Roasters is definitely not a coffee that skimps on fruit. In the cup, you’ll find apricot sorbet, peach compote, and passion fruit cake. The fruity sweetness alternates in several forms, creating a cup that is bold and full of flavor.
High in the Colombian Andes, in the Huila region near the city of Pitalito, lies the El Diviso farm, run by brothers Nestor and Adrian Lasso. The brothers focus on growing less common varieties and experimenting with their processing methods. On the farm, you’ll find varieties such as Sidra, Pink Bourbon, Geisha, Caturra, and Bourbon. Each variety has its own micro-plot and specific care regimen. The Lasso brothers have also long been dedicated to fermentation, microbiology, and finding new ways to get the most out of each variety.
This lot underwent natural processing. After harvest, the ripe coffee cherries are dried whole—including the skin and pulp—on African drying beds. Thanks to the slow and controlled drying process, the cherries develop the sweetness and fruity notes that are characteristic of this lot. At the El Diviso farm, they work with a variety of methods, ranging from natural processing to controlled fermentation and carbonic maceration. Experimenting with processing is one of the hallmarks of the Lasso brothers’ work and allows them to explore new flavor profiles in individual varieties. If you’re in the mood for something truly fruity, this will be a bull’s-eye.
- Producer: Nestor Lasso
- Farm: El Diviso
- Altitude: 1,750–1,800 m above sea level