Colombia Guava Banana

Coffee Story

The producers behind Guava Banana are Martha Montenegro and her sons Elias and Shady Bayter from El Vergel Estate, well known for pioneering different processing techniques such as the Koji process. This coffee has been a true classic within our lineup over the years, and it returns with the fresh harvest. The microlot it comes from sits directly next to the farm's washing station, surrounded by guava trees that give the coffee its name. Gradually planted between 2016 and 2018 with approximately 40,000 Caturra coffee trees, it became the largest microlot at the farm, used for processing experiments at scale.

Region & Farm

Region

Tolima, Colombia

Tolima Region is located in central-west Colombia, within the Cordillera Central, with nutrient-rich soils and diverse microclimates. Farmers here have shifted from large-yield commodity crops to specialty microlots, focusing on quality and care, making Tolima one of Colombia's most exciting and progressive coffee regions.

Farm

El Vergel Estate

El Vergel Estate is a renowned Colombian coffee farm in Tolima, led by Martha Montenegro, Elias Bayter, and Shady Bayter. The farm originally cultivated avocados in the 90s but pivoted to coffee around 2010, focusing on high-quality, diverse varieties. Today, El Vergel is a pioneer in experimental processing methods, from Koji fermentation to anaerobic processing, and stands among the most celebrated farms in Colombia.

Processing & Flavor

A blend of Red Caturra and Yellow Caturra. This coffee undergoes a two-step, temperature-controlled anoxic fermentation for 48 to 60 hours, developing an intense yet clean profile that highlights the full potential of the Caturra varieties. pH levels are carefully monitored throughout the whole process to ensure consistency. This is followed by intermittent drying at varying moisture levels to enhance complexity, then finished in silo dryers for precise moisture control. The coffee is then stabilized for 45 days to homogenize the beans and further develop the profile. Final sun-drying takes about 15 to 25 days depending on actual weather.

The Taste Idea

" Guava Banana has been a true classic of our lineup over the years, and with every new harvest it continues to prove why. When profiling this coffee, I focused on vibrant fruitiness and clarity of the final cup. The result opens with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of pomegranate, banana and notes of honey. Followed by the juicy acidity of tamarind lemonade and guava juice, along with a milk chocolate like texture. As the coffee cools, a gentle raspberry finish rounds out the profile beautifully. An ideal choice for lovers of tropical fruit and bright acidity. "

Jan Jim Huza - Head Roaster.

Details

Why You'll Love It

• Vibrant, clean, and complex profile with tropical fruit notes.
• Pioneering anaerobic processing from El Vergel Estate.
• A lineup classic returning with a fresh new harvest.