March 2013’s pick

Colombia Villa Esperanza

If there was ever a time to celebrate a coffee that stands for doing the right thing, this is it. During Fairtrade Fortnight, when attention is focused on ethical trading, Kopi is proud to introduce Colombia Villa Esperanza, a coffee whose trade facilitates tree planting schemes, micro-loans and environmental education. And, of course, it’s absolutely delicious.

Our experts’ thoughts on this month’s choice

Jim, 35 years in the coffee trade
“I’ve long wished to include a Colombian coffee in our portfolio, as it’s one of the great coffee origins. But finding a coffee that rises above the vast array of good – but relatively boring – Colombian coffees widely available in supermarkets has been a challenge! Villa Esperanza is made with great care by a handful of farmers in Huila, one of Colombia’s finest growing areas. It is an outstanding cup. It really does have something for everyone.”

Geoff, 35 years in the coffee trade
“‘Esperanza’ means ‘hope’ in Spanish but I am sure ( or as the Colombians say, ‘seguro’) you’ll love the bright zinginess of this exceptional Colombian coffee. We have used a medium roast to accentuate its lemony note, reminiscent of Kopi`s July coffee from Peru. I have also tried it roasted medium dark which brings out a caramel sweetness and works wonderfully when blended with a good Brazil and a Central American. For football followers, it`s a Lionel Messi kind of coffee – brilliant as an individual and a fantastic team player!”

Villa Esperanza: Best Practice For Brilliant Coffee

Most of the coffee grown in Colombia is approved by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC). Since 1927 its members

have worked together to deliver social and environmental programmes and to ensure Colombian coffees meet a certain quality standard. The thing is, that standard is good, but not always incredible. And at Kopi, we’re on the lookout for the spectacular. So we headed for the Andes and took the road less travelled...

Ten years ago, four farmers banded together

to produce better coffee in more sustainable ways. They called themselves the Villa Esperanza Association, and they quickly started producing great coffee in environmentally sound ways. Think FNC approval, but so much more. Villa Esperanza earned Rainforest Alliance certification in 2005, and in the years since the group has grown to include 22 smallholders.

At Villa Esperanza, not only do growers take an active role in environmental matters (for example, the group has spearheaded the construction of water treatment facilities), but they also get involved in how the coffee tastes. For proof, look no further than the local cupping lab.

Yes, you read that right: there’s a state-of-the-art cupping lab 1,600 metres above sea level in the Andes Mountains! The lab allows Villa Esperanza growers to explore how different ways of processing coffee affect the way it tastes. As experts in the world of coffee, we can assure you that this is not something you see every day!

A Rising Star on a Crowded Stage

With practices like this, and a taste like the one we hope you’re savouring right now, it’s easy to see why Villa Esperanza has attracted some buzz. Even in Colombia, the world’s third- largest coffee producer and the world’s largest producer of washed Arabica, of which this is a fine example, Villa Esperanza stands out.

The extra care put into the growth and processing of this coffee shines through in its aroma and taste – something many of Colombia’s bigger growing syndicates just can’t compete with.

Tasting notes

Colombian coffee at its finest – like this one – is a lot like Costa Rican coffee: an absolute classic. There’s nothing extreme about this medium-bodied coffee. The fresh lemon acidity is pronounced but not dominant, and the coffee’s natural sweetness tempers this sharpness perfectly. Take a deep sniff of this coffee before you allow it near any water. Can you smell a sweet, heavy scent? It’s technically known as a floral honey scent, but we think it smells like freshly baked sweet sponge. After you add water, smell again for more honey and a bit of cinnamon.

Taste-wise, Villa Esperanza balances a zesty lemon acidity with a gorgeous butterscotch flavor that mellows out to a sweet black cherry. It’s a luscious sort of coffee with a mouth feel that’s easy to love.