Colombia - Aratoca - Praderita - Semi Washed - Organic by Sail

This coffee comes from the secondary selection of the organic Castillo variety at Hacienda Cafetera La Pradera. Only ripe cherries are harvested and first fermented in cherry for 15 hours. After depulping, the beans undergo a second 20-hour anaerobic mucilage fermentation, which develops vibrant tropical notes of red fruits and a cup that is smooth, delicate, and silky.

The coffee is then transferred via conveyor belt to the eco-washer for a semi-washed process, followed by 18 hours of pre-drying on raised platforms. Finally, it is finished in mechanical dryers until reaching the ideal moisture level of 10.5–11%.

It then travels to Europe by sail, reducing its carbon footprint.

Although this lot is a secondary selection, it delivers a surprisingly clean and flavorful profile, with a fruity sweetness, refined texture, and excellent balance.

We met Oscar Daza, owner of Finca La Pradera in Aratoca (in the region of Santander). After spending his childhood in the heart of the coffee plantations, Oscar has taken the farm over from his grandfather José Rosario Daza, then his father Hector, and is now part of the third generation. Oscar and his wife Mildred are at the head of 13 farms representing 185 hectares. Mildred is at the origin of the Santa Maria project which promotes the production of women's coffee with 5 farms and 80 hectares.  

Oscar is recognised and appreciated in the region. He has received numerous awards for his commitment and work. He is also very involved in local community projects and, in particular, he created "Pilos del café", a coffee-growing project for young people at the Clavellinas school. 

The 4th generation is promising! We spoke to Bryan and Andrea, Oscar's nephew and niece. They are currently studying commerce and communication in the city of Bucaramanga and are keen to take over the family farm from Oscar and Mildred.  

All are certified organic and Bird Friendly. He is the first in the region to finance his own organic certification, which is something the Federation generally pays for. He has an entrepreneurial temperament, and it was this that pushed him to become independent, in order to find his own customers, be free to make his own decisions and manage his production in line with his own vision of coffee growing. Despite a few difficult years spent battling with the Federation, Oscar has finally found his own customers and now sells more than 60% of his production directly for export.