Elkin Guzman, Strawberry Catiope - Colombia

Region: Huila

Altitude: 1650 masl

Process: Strawberry Co-Fermented Natural

Varietal: Catiope

We taste: Fresh Strawberry, Grape Soda, Kool-Aid®

Elkin Guzman and Finca El Mirador

Elkin Guzman is a force in the Colombian coffee community. His family has been involved in the coffee community for over 70 years now. For the past 12 years, Elkin and his family have focus on researching different post-harvest processing techniques including Carbonic Maceration, Lactic and Acetic Natural Processes, and Natural Hydro Honey. Elkin and the team at El Mirador holds high quality and consistency standards which help them to decide which processing techniques they will use with each coffee they harvest. Elkin focuses on choosing processes which enhance, compliment and highlight qualities that are already present in each of the coffees. Elkin and his team encountered the Catiope variety when visiting Cenicafé’s experimental station in Timbio, Cauca, Colombia. The Catiope is a cross between the Caturra and Lineas Etiopes varieties - and named after both!

Strawberry Co-fermented Natural

The Strawberry Natural process is a unique processing method that starts with coffee cherries that measure over 20 degrees Brix. These cherries are sorted to ensure overripe and dark fruit are removed, then the remaining cherries are placed in plastic tanks for 60 hours. After they are removed, a mixture of microorganisms such as lactobacillus, saccharomyses and cerevisiae which have been fed with strawberries and molasses, are added to the tanks. The sugars in the molasses fuel the fermentation process and the strawberries impart their flavor while they ferment for 270 hours. After fermentation, coffee is washed in clean water and laid on raised beds to dry. Cherry is raked frequently to ensure even drying until they reach 10.5-11% humidity.

In the Cup

This coffee is mind-blowingly delicious. When it’s hot, it has a strong aroma of fresh, ripe strawberries (go figure!) and the initial taste reminds us of the red Kool-Aid® from our childhood. As it cools, it keeps its hyper-sweet flavors but has more nuanced acidity - reminiscent of grape jolly ranchers and strawberry soda. Overall, this coffee is something you have to try to believe!