Colombia Gesha by Luz Helena

Origin: Colombia

Region: Armenia, Quindio

Processing: Washed

Varietal: Gesha

Altitude: 1,450–1,500 masl

Tasting Notes: Floral, orange peel, chocolate

Luz Helena and her team of pickers selectively harvest only the ripest cherries. The cherries are then transported to La Leona’s sorting area, where the team meticulously hand-sorts and float them to eliminate any low-density, underripe, or defective beans.

Once sorted, the cherries are transported to Cofinet’s processing center, La Pradera. Here, the cherries undergo a 30-hour underwater fermentation—a critical step that enhances the coffee's flavor profile. We do this controlled fermentation process as it allows the sugars, organic acids, and other compounds within the cherries to break down gradually, stimulating the development of a complex profile.

The 30-hour fermentation period is carefully calibrated to balance flavor complexity and enhance sweetness. This results in a crispy and lively character.

After fermentation, the cherries are pulped, and the mucilage is thoroughly washed away. The water used in our washing process is recycled and reused for floating subsequent batches of cherries.

The wastewater generated during our washed process is then treated using our green filtration system. This system filters the water through a series of specialized tanks before irrigating it into vetiver grass beds. Through this natural filtration process, the water is purified and released as oxygen. As a result, no contaminated water is discharged from our processing center, ensuring an environmentally sustainable operation.

Once coffees are washed they are spread out on raised beds in greenhouses when they are exotic varieties or in our elbas drying station for bigger lots. The team monitors them closely to ensure even drying and optimal quality. We aim for 9.5%-11% moisture content, which is the perfect point for us. Our greenhouse concentrates a temperature range of 20 to 38°C, which helps us to maintain a constant drying time for our coffees