High in the mountains of Nariño, Colombia, the Inga community of Aponte are descendants of the pre-Hispanic Incas. Historically, the community has been fairly isolated, however during the 1990s the region became a target for guerrilla groups and traffickers, who forced farmers to produce poppy and heroin. The tribe has worked hard to reclaim its land and livelihoods, and coffee cultivation has played a significant part in that change. Today, smallholders farm at an average of 2150 masl, in soils enriched by the nearby Galeras volcano.
This washed lot brings together coffee from smallholder farms across the Resguardo Inga Aponte, the community’s ancestral territory. The cherries are harvested between April and June, before being pulped, fermented and washed to remove any remaining mucilage. The coffee is then dried, allowing the characteristics of the high-grown Caturra to shine through. Our import partners for this coffee Ally began purchasing from Aponte in 2015 and have built a strong relationship in this community. By creating opportunities for smallholder farmers to produce specialty grade coffee, the partnership supports local livelihoods and helps the community shape its own future.
Seasonal buying is about seeing coffee as a crop not a commodity, buying in harmony with the growing seasons to enjoy coffee at its best. This kind of buying has always been the backbone of our business and it’s something we’ve improved and refined every year.
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