Pepe Jijon Finca Soledad - Wave Natural CF Sidra | Ecuador

Ecuador — Pepe Jijon Finca Soledad Sidra (Wave Natural CF)

Tastes Like — 🍑 Peach Soda • 🍓 Strawberry Yogurt • 🍍 Pineapple • 🌺 Hibiscus

DETAILS

• Producer: Pepe Jijon
• Farm: Finca Soledad
• Region: Imbabura, Ecuador
• Varietal: Sidra
• Process: Wave Natural CF (Cold Ferment)
• Altitude: 1,515 MASL
• Size: 125g / 4.4oz

INTRO

This Sidra from Pepe Jijon is remarkably complex and a testament to Finca Soledad's continuously improving processing methods. It uses Pepe Jijon's trademark "wave" philosophy — applying low-intervention techniques to showcase the innate qualities of the coffee itself — with the addition of a cold fermentation step that adds a new layer of clarity and sparkle to the final cup.

The cup opens with a bright, sparkling peach soda character, then moves into the familiar wave natural texture as creamy strawberry yogurt emerges. Tropical pineapple comes through as the coffee develops, alongside hibiscus florals that feel light and expressive. Loud and expressive but still refined — one of Moonwake's favourite Pepes yet.

THE PRODUCER

Pepe Jijon is one of Ecuador's most innovative and celebrated specialty coffee producers, based at Finca Soledad in Imbabura at 1,515 MASL. His "wave" processing philosophy centres on minimal intervention — working with the coffee's inherent character rather than imposing flavour through heavy fermentation. Each iteration of the wave process refines the approach, and this Wave Natural CF lot represents a significant step forward: the addition of a cold dehydration phase producing exceptional clarity whilst preserving complexity.

Finca Soledad has become a reference point for progressive Ecuadorian specialty coffee, with Pepe's lots appearing consistently on the menus of the world's leading roasters. His work with the Sidra variety — a Bourbon-Timor hybrid prized for its outstanding aromatic potential — consistently produces some of the most memorable cups to emerge from South America.

THE PROCESS

The Wave Natural CF process at Finca Soledad involves:

• 🍒 Selective Harvest — Ripe Sidra cherries hand-picked at peak maturity
• 🧪 Cold Fermentation — Cherries submerged in GrainPro bags and fermented for 72 hours
• 🔧 Depulping — Cherries depulped after the cold fermentation phase
• ❄️ Cold Dehydration — Coffee undergoes a slow cold dehydration for 28 days, preserving aromatic complexity and developing the characteristic wave texture

This wave process — named for its philosophy of riding the coffee's natural flavour potential — produces a cup that is simultaneously vivid and refined, with the cold ferment step adding a sparkling brightness that elevates the Sidra's innate tropical and floral character.

THE CUP

A sparkling, expressive cup that rewards attention. Bright peach soda opens immediately — effervescent and fruit-forward — giving way to creamy strawberry yogurt on the palate, a texture that is distinctly "wave." Tropical pineapple builds through the mid-palate, and light, expressive hibiscus florals linger on the finish. An outstanding lot that balances exuberance with elegance. Recommended rest: 4–6 weeks from roast date.

Flavour Notes

• 🍑 Peach Soda
• 🍓 Strawberry Yogurt
• 🍍 Pineapple
• 🌺 Hibiscus