Colombia — Hertson Bernal Finca La Esperanza Cenicafé 1 (Aerobic Washed)

Tastes Like — 🍊 Grapefruit • 🍫 Milk Chocolate • 🍓 Red Berries

DETAILS

• Producer: Hertson Bernal
• Farm: Finca La Esperanza
• Region: Huila, Colombia
• Varietal: Cenicafé 1
• Process: Aerobic Washed
• Altitude: 1800 MASL
• Size: 250g

INTRO

From Finca La Esperanza in Huila, Hertson Bernal's aerobic-washed Cenicafé 1 delivers a vibrant, balanced profile that showcases both the quality-focused breeding of this variety and the precision of open-air fermentation. Grapefruit brightness, milk chocolate richness, and red berry sweetness combine in a cup that is both approachable and complex.

Cenicafé 1 was developed by Colombia's National Coffee Research Centre (Cenicafé) specifically for quality and resilience, and at 1800 MASL in Huila's ideal terroir, it thrives. Suitable for filter brewing.

THE PRODUCER

Hertson Bernal is a dedicated Colombian coffee producer based in Huila, one of the country's most celebrated coffee-growing regions. Finca La Esperanza sits at 1800 MASL, where cooler temperatures, volcanic soil, and consistent rainfall create optimal conditions for producing high-quality specialty coffee.

Hertson has invested in both agronomic excellence and post-harvest innovation, experimenting with controlled fermentation techniques to elevate the intrinsic qualities of the Cenicafé 1 variety. His commitment to quality has positioned him as a respected producer within Huila's specialty coffee community.

THE PROCESS

The Aerobic Washed process at Finca La Esperanza involves:

• 🍒 Selective Harvest — Only fully ripe cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness.
• 🔧 Same-Day Depulping — Cherries are depulped on the day of harvest to prevent unwanted fermentation and maintain freshness.
• 🧪 Aerobic Fermentation — Depulped coffee ferments in open-air tanks, exposed to oxygen, which promotes a clean, bright fermentation that enhances the coffee's natural acidity and fruit-forward character.
• 💧 Washing — After fermentation, coffee is thoroughly washed to remove all remaining mucilage.
• ☀️ Sun Drying — Beans are spread on raised beds or patios and dried slowly under the sun, with regular turning to ensure even moisture reduction.

This aerobic fermentation approach allows the Cenicafé 1 variety's inherent brightness to shine whilst maintaining structural balance and clarity in the cup.

THE CUP

A vibrant and well-structured Colombian washed coffee that opens with the zesty brightness of pink grapefruit, develops into the creamy sweetness of milk chocolate, and finishes with the jammy depth of red berries. The aerobic fermentation has enhanced the coffee's natural acidity without sacrificing body, creating a balanced, expressive cup that showcases Huila's terroir and the Cenicafé 1 variety's quality potential.

Flavour Notes

• 🍊 Grapefruit
• 🍫 Milk Chocolate
• 🍓 Red Berries