Colombia — Yuri Ordóñez El Salado Gesha (Anaerobic Washed)

Tastes Like — 🍑 Loquat • 🍈 Pomelo • 🌿 Rosemary • 🍵 Red Tea

DETAILS

• Producer: Yuri Ordóñez
• Farm: El Salado
• Region: San Pedro de Cartago, Nariño, Colombia
• Varietal: Gesha
• Process: Anaerobic Washed
• Elevation: 2,000 masl

INTRO A first-time collaboration with Yuri Ordóñez of El Salado — a distinctly different expression of washed Gesha. The cup opens with an acidity reminiscent of loquat, gradually shifting into the sweet, tangy character of pomelo, with an unexpected herbal rosemary aromatic and a clean, red tea-like finish. In the cup: loquat, pomelo, rosemary, and red tea.

THE PRODUCER Yuri Ordóñez began his journey in agriculture 11 years ago during difficult times, when his mother gave him a small plot of land. With 200 Geisha trees and organic fertiliser as his only resources, he dedicated years of perseverance and sacrifice to achieving his first harvest. Over time, the quality of his coffee gained recognition, motivating him to enter competitions — in 2021, he won first place in the Nariño Cup, a turning point that opened doors and strengthened his passion for coffee. That achievement, alongside his continued hard work, has since allowed him to build his home and keep pursuing dreams that once seemed far away.

THE PROCESS This lot begins with a 24-hour fermentation in sealed tanks, followed by flotation sorting. The cherries are then de-pulped and undergo a second 24-hour fermentation with their mucilage in sealed tanks. Finally, the coffee is washed twice and left to dry for 7 days on a traditional patio.

The double 24-hour fermentation — first in cherry, then with mucilage after de-pulping — is the defining step. It's what builds the loquat acidity and pomelo sweetness while preserving the subtle rosemary-like herbal aromatic that makes this cup so distinctive.

THE CUP Bright and composed — an acidity reminiscent of loquat opens the cup, gradually shifting into sweet, tangy pomelo. An unexpected herbal quality recalls fresh rosemary without turning savoury, adding an engaging extra layer. As it cools, the finish turns clean and elegant, lingering with a red tea-like quality.

Flavour Notes 🍑 Loquat 🍈 Pomelo 🌿 Rosemary 🍵 Red Tea