Colombia El Mirador - Cold Ferment Natural

Flavor Profile:
This cup bursts with fragrance and vibrancy from the moment you open the bag. Sweet, candy-like aromatics rise from both the dry grounds and the brew. On the palate, its clarity is remarkable—bright raspberry and blueberry notes lead the way, followed by sweet–tart hints of candied lemon. A juicy, gently funky cantaloupe character carries through the finish, complemented by subtle touches of fruity cocoa nib as the cup cools. This is an expressive, dynamic coffee that continues to unfold with every sip.

My connection to Pitalito, Huila, Colombia

Coffees from Pitalito will always hold a special place in my heart. In 2018, I took my very first sourcing trip as a coffee buyer to this region with Ally / Clearpath Coffee. I was five years into my coffee journey, hungry to learn, and that trip changed everything. The landscape, the smells, the people, the coffees—it all deepened my gratitude for every person involved in producing a beautiful cup. It clarified my purpose in coffee: to be a bridge between those at both ends of the supply chain.

Elkin Guzmán, El Mirador & the process

El Mirador is a 30-hectare coffee farm in Pitalito, Huila, Colombia, celebrated for its rich biodiversity of varieties—including Striped Bourbon, Catiope, Mokka, Tabi, Gesha, and several Bourbon strains. The farm sits at 1,550–1,750 masl on sandy-loam and clay-loam soils full of organic matter, creating ideal nutritional conditions for the trees. Coffee is cultivated under semi-shade systems to naturally regulate temperature and support healthy, balanced growth.

Led by producer Elkin Guzmán, whose family has over 70 years of coffee experience, El Mirador is known for its innovative approach to post-harvest processing. Elkin has spent more than a decade researching fermentation and quality development, resulting in highly standardized harvesting protocols and tailored processing methods.

Among Elkin’s signature methods is the Natural Cold Process, where whole cherries are sealed and placed in a chilled environment to slow and extend fermentation. This controlled cold stage enhances complexity before the coffee moves into its drying phase, capturing a vibrant, expressive profile.

*farm and processing information provided by Ally & Clearpath Coffee.*