Caicedo & Salgar, Colombia

Green Coffee

 El Plan

Farm: El Plan (El Sapero)
Process: Washed
Variety: Castillo Rosario
Screen Size: 16+
Altitude: 1,980 m
Harvest Date: December 2018
Region: Caicedo
Aromas: Woody notes, Berries and citrus fruits
Observations: Heavy body, medium high acidity, very balanced and clean cup.

The Story

At 6500 feet, the “Barranquero” (a bird famous in Colombia for its brilliant colors) perches above the El Plan farm, located in the Caicedo municipal, where one of our wonderful coffee harvests ripens: a Castillo Rosario variety, washed, with a woody aroma and notes of strawberries and citrus, full bodied but well blanced. All of these characteristics make for a special cup. So special that, through this coffee, you can appreciate the natural splendor of Colombia’s gorgeous landscapes. The Barranquero (Momotus Aequatorialis) stops to watch a group, it’s a curious bird that is surely asking itself, “Who are they?” They are the people who work to create a special product, those that find themsleves surrounded by an enormous landscape, ideal for cultivating coffee. A land that bears with it a name, El Sapero: the toad’s place.

Regional Information

Caicedo is located in the southwest region of Antioquia, one of the most fertile regions of Colombia, bordering the most jungle-like part of Choco. The town is settled on the colossal eastern folds of a mountain range at about 1800 meters height, sharing a strong common culture of coffee with the other municipalities of the region. El plan is a very remote coffee farm administrated by the Molina Zapata family. In the coffee fields, there is a wetland which is home for a great number of toads, in Spanish,“sapos”, hence the name of the coffee“el Sapero”: “The toads’place”. 

El León

Farm: El León 
Region: Salgar
Variety: Castillo 
Process: Natural
Screen Size: 15+
Altitude: 1,600 m
Harvest Date: October 2018
Aromas: Caramel and tropical fruits
Observations: Acids medium and juicy, body silky and velvety, pleasant and prolonged residual.

The Story

The dazzling bird continues his journey onward, always in search of new lands. At 5300 feet, he finds sunny valleys with perfect conditions for Arabica coffee. He’s arrived to the Salgar region. There he finds El León farm, managed by Carlos Zapata, whose experience, wisdom, and passion produce a Castillo variety. It’s a washed coffee, consistent and flavorful, with a silky body, a pleasant and prolonged aftertaste, and notes of berries and malt. Much like the lion, this coffee is dominant an unique because it captures the essence of the land, which gives birth to this specialty coffee. In this way, the Barranquero befriends the lion, who leaves his unique mark.

Regional Information

The Salgar region has long been a top producer of specialty coffee in Colombia. Spectacular vistas drop into lush, sun-kissed valleys which provide ideal growing conditions for Arabica coffee. The coffee we grow is much like our home in Salgar: complex yet delicate, bold yet easygoing and always memorable. Carlos Zapata, the farm manager at El Leon, has lived with his family in Salgar his whole life. His calm demeanor, expert knowledge of farming and passion for coffee not only brings out the best in his employees, but also helps him produce consistent and flavorful coffees

La Grecia

Farm: La Grecia
Region: Salgar
Variety: Castillo
Process: Washed
Screen Size: 15+
Altitude: 1,600 - 1,800 m 
Harvest Date: October 2018
Aromas: Sugar cane & Cacao
Observations: Low acidity, medium body and soft residual

The Story

La Grecia is a farm located in the Southwest of Antioquia, a region known as one of the best for growing specialty coffee. The Barranquero returns to his environment, to the heart of his valley. Its a valley with a Golden Rooster, adored by the 60 or so workers who tend to its lands: low acidity, medium bodied, and a smooth aftertaste. The Golden Rooster nestles between 5300 and 6000 feet. It’s a Castillo variety with aromas of cocoa and sugar cane that permeate the air, the flavors further captivate the senses with notes of apricot, dark chocolate, orange, and raisins. The Golden Rooster has a complex, exotic touch- it shines for itself just like the women who work on the farm, many of which were widowed by the Civil War and Colombia’s past conflicts. Nevertheless, they find opportunities each morning to smile and celebrate on the mountainside.

Regional Information

The Salgar Region has been a top producer of Colombia’s specialty coffee for decades. With their ideal climate conditions, the scenic coffee farms set on misty slopes and nestled within lush foothills produce smooth - bodied brews, infusing a piece of the valley into every cup they fill. Under the careful management of Fredy Hoyos, an Abira Employee and lifelong Salgar resident, La Grecia employs over 60 year-round farmers. Many of these workers are women, who were widowed by civil war and past conflict within Colombia.

Inquiry Form

Please fill out the form below to inquire further. 

Fields marked with an * are