General Info:
Importer: COFFEEMAXGREEN
Trader: The Coffee Quest
Origin: Colombia
Region: Santa Maria > Huila
Washing Station: Santa Maria
Farm name: Lotte 3
Producer: Miller Sarmiento
Variety: Red and Orange Caturra
Altitude: 1952 masl
Process: Washed
About
Finca Lote 3 is located in Santa Maria, Huila, Colombia and run by Miller Sarmiento. The farm sits at an elevation of approximately 1,952 m.a.s.l. and consists of 8 hectares in total. Of those 8 hectares, 4 are planted in coffee, with about 14,000 trees. Within those 14,000 trees, Miller grows a mix of Red Caturra, Orange Caturra, Typica and Castillo; this lot is a mix of Red and Orange Caturra. Miller ferments the coffee for 24 hours in cherry, de-pulps and then ferments for an additional 36 hours. Upon washing, the coffee is laid out to dry for between 10-14 days, depending on the climate. This is our second year working with Miller, whom we met through our Santa Maria project buying station.
Santa Maria
Huila has been a stronghold for guerrillas during the 60-year conflict that ended recently, making the town virtually inaccessible for several decades. The civilian population suffered tremendously from the conflict, always being in the middle between the warring parties (guerrilla, para-military groups and the army). Only during the start of the peace negotiations around in 2012, the FARC pulled out and the town opened up for outside influence and economic development. In 2018, The Coffee Quest partnered up with Asociación La Victoria to guarantee a more stable income for the group and other farmers around Santa Maria. The chosen method was setting up a buying station in the centre of town. The station fully focused on specialty purchases in the region and functions as foothold within the local community.
