Juliana Guevara - Chiroso

La Terraza is a farm project by Juliana Guevara and her husband Wbeimar (WAY-mar) Lasso, where experimentation with varieties and processes is conducted, which serves as a model farm for other producers in the Terra Coffee Association based in Pitalito, Huila, which was also co-founded by the couple.

Yellow Rooster has been working with Terra Coffee since 2021 on various community lots, and is now working on single farm, single variety lots as well, like this exemplary Chiroso from Juliana.

Juliana is new to coffee farming; she came to the world of farms and coffee plantations 15 years ago, during which time she has learned about varieties and processes, as well as developed work with other small coffee farmers. For this particular variety, the coffee is harvested by selected personnel, taking into account the final process. The condition of the harvested beans is checked with each batch before starting the final process. Once the harvest and bean condition are evaluated, they are taken to fermentation in water in plastic barrels, ensuring the absence of oxygen through valves.

This fermentation period lasts for 96 hours. After this process is completed, the coffee is depulped and placed in other plastic containers where it will undergo dry fermentation for 72 hours. Once this is finished, the coffee undergoes a final wash that removes about 70% of the mucilage. It is then left to pre-dry before being taken to the final drying area, where it is dried using solar heat and air currents for about 14 days. After drying, the coffee is evaluated in the laboratory for quality and is stored for 20 days for stabilization before the final evaluation. 

Juliana's approach to fermentation in this lot is a hybrid consistent of stages of anaerobic natural and a semi-washed dry fermentation which is super interesting as you don't get loud anaerobic 'notes' at all, but rather ripe berries and fruit punch vibes but with the clarity, acidity and complexity of a washed coffee.  

You all know we love Chiroso and this is perhaps our favorite to date.  In the cup you're hit with loads of berries.  Red currant, juicy juice berry punch, blackberry jam etc. etc .etc.  All this sweetness is complimented by a beautiful floral note a la orange blossom that really refines the cup.  Easily one of our favorite coffee of '24...