Juan Saldarriaga inherited his two farms, La Claudina and El Encanto, from his father Luis. Today Luis is mostly retired, but still lives on El Encanto and he keeps a sharp eye on things there. Both of the farms are around 60 hectares, with around 42 of that planted with coffee and the other 18 being left as preserved forest and nature reserve. The farms are beautiful, with varied topography and landscapes ranging from wild forest to the pristine gardens Luis manages around his house. Our continued relationship with Juan Saldarriaga is one of our longest-standing. A few years ago we were lucky enough to visit him, and we are certainly overdue for a trip back to these very special farms!
Previously, we’ve mainly bought from La Claudina - we have enjoyed large volumes of seasonal washed coffees for Unit 14, alongside smaller microlots throughout the year - but this year in particular the El Encanto lots are really elegant and complex. These days there are so many big, process-forward lots available from Colombia, it is always a nice reminder to taste lots like this with the amazing complexity, sweetness and acidity that can be found in good washed coffees.
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.
