Colombian Huila – GM Medium Dark Roast

Colombia Huila.

No this is not Juan Valdez’s cuppa.

Located high in the Colombian Andes, Huila is home to Colombia’s coffee growing belt. The temperate climate and rich terroir gives Huila the capability to produce some of the most approachable and delicious single origin coffee’s on the market today.

If you search for Colombia coffee in Baidu, Bing or Google, you will see coffee’s from the likes of F0lgers, K!rkland and a host of smaller brands branded “100% Colombian”. I, like many of us had a view of Colombian coffee’s as something I would buy at the warehouse store, or something I would grab at a supermarket for a camping trip. My view was that it was a low-quality coffee that was sold pre-ground or freeze-dried for the millions of coffee drinkers in North American. I guess 60 + years of marketing will jade ones mind, and I am thankful for this as I bought into the above narrative before I became a hospitality professional. I’m also thankful as I still see Colombian coffee as my go-to brew, now it is this single-origin Huila and here’s why.

Huila coffee is grown in, you guessed it Huila. Huila is a department (providence, state) in Colombia, located in the Colombian Andes, more specifically along the Colombian Massif or Macizo Colombiano. The altitude of the growing regions here makes Huila coffee an alpine coffee, rich from volcanic soils thanks to the nearby Nevado del Huila volcano. This climatic trifecta (high altitude, climatic diversity and rich terroir) means these beans are as unique as the environment they are raised in. We roast to elevate and highlight the flavors inherent in the beans.

You will find complexity on your palette with hints of fruit and wine, high sweetness, and bright acidity, imo the perfect way to say GM.

The Deets on Huila

If you were at our members-only, private tasting launch in Hong Kong you got to experience this first hand as it was the second coffee we served. To enlighten and refresh, here are the deets and what you missed and can expect from a cup of this curated coffee;

• Country – Colombia
• Region – Huila
• Varietal – Arabica
• Growing Altitude – 1600 – 2000m
• Harvesting – September thru December
• Process – Washed (wet)
• Roast – Medium Dark
• Preferred Brewing Methods
  • Pour-over (hanging ear packets or for larger volumes a Chemex)
  • French Press (92c water, steep 5 minutes)
  • Aeropress
  • Espresso
• Aroma
  • Citrus Fruits, Nuts
• Acidity
  • Bright, Citric
• On your Palette
  • Apple, Honey, Almonds (slight)

Throughout all of the pre-production process, multiple sample roasts and tastings this is my standby, my go-to when I cannot make up my mind on what to drink.

Balanced, delicious and solid.

Stay Bored.

0xChef