A wild card that will really shake up your taste expectations! The Colombian Wildcard from the Belgian roaster Wide Awake Coffee offers an unexpected combination of chrysanthemum, licorice root, and fresh lime. Instead of the classic chocolate or caramel notes, you’ll find a delicate floral aroma, a slightly herbal sweetness, and a pleasantly lively citrus acidity. The overall profile is light and clean, reminiscent of an aromatic herbal tea rather than traditional coffee. If you enjoy discovering unusual flavors and aren’t afraid to take a chance on something new every now and then, this coffee might be just right for you.
Behind this coffee is Sebastián Ramírez, who represents the fourth generation of growers at the family-run El Placer farm in Colombia’s Huila region. The coffee trees here grow at an elevation of 2,100 meters above sea level, where the cooler mountain climate allows them to ripen slowly and evenly. Sebastián focuses primarily on the careful selection of ripe cherries and precise processing methods. He also collaborates with other growers in the region and contributes to the development of the local coffee community. It was precisely this emphasis on quality and consistent results that caught the attention of the Wide Awake roastery.
Wildcard is an unusual Maragesha variety, characterized by large beans and the potential for a delicate, distinctly aromatic flavor profile. The coffee undergoes a washed process, in which the skin and pulp are removed from the carefully selected cherries after harvest. This is followed by a thorough washing to remove the remaining sweet, sticky layer from the beans. The coffee is then slowly dried on raised drying beds and turned regularly until it reaches the desired moisture content. This process helps preserve the purity of the flavors and allows the delicate floral character of this exceptional variety to shine through.
- Producer: Sebastián Ramírez
- Farm: El Placer
- Elevation: 2,100 m above sea level