September Coffee Co. - David Berrio | Colombia

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Colombia — David Berrio Finca La Casita Chiroso (Washed)

Tastes Like — 🍇 Red Grape • 🍎 Pomegranate • 🍋 Lime

DETAILS

• Producer: David Berrio
• Farm: Finca La Casita
• Region: Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia
• Varietal: Chiroso
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 2,100 MASL
• Size: 250g

INTRO

A second year featuring David Berrio's Finca La Casita in Urrao — and a Chiroso of exceptional sweetness, juiciness, and brightness. Clean and light-bodied, with a sparkling citric acidity that runs from the first sip through to a lingering lime finish. In the cup: juicy red grapes, sweet pomegranate, and sparkling lime.

THE PRODUCER

David Berrio is a second-generation coffee producer from Urrao, Antioquia — introduced to specialty coffee by his brother-in-law, who taught him the principles of sustainable plant management and fermentation technique. Finca La Casita was originally purchased by David's grandfather fifteen years ago and inherited by his father, and David now tends it alongside avocados, bananas, and plantains that provide natural shade for the coffee plants.

The journey from cherry to processing at La Casita is itself a story — picked cherries are left in sacks for two days before being transported by horse to the road and then by car to the main house, a journey that can take several hours. That unhurried approach continues through processing, and with the profits from his coffee production, David is currently building his own home on the farm.

Chiroso is a variety grown primarily in Antioquia that has rapidly gained recognition for its quality potential. Genetically identified as an Ethiopian Landrace, it is prized for its vibrant aromatic profile and the expressive fruit character it delivers at altitude — qualities that David's meticulous fermentation and drying approach bring out to full effect.

THE PROCESS

The Washed process at Finca La Casita involves:

🍒 Hand-picking — Cherries selectively harvested at peak ripeness ⏳ Cherry rest — Picked cherries rested in sacks for two days before processing 🔧 De-pulping — Outer skin removed before fermentation 🧪 Submerged tank fermentation — Beans placed in a stainless steel tank covered with just enough water for 5 days 🏚️ Casa Elida drying — Dried in a traditional Colombian casa elida drying structure

The five-day submerged fermentation is the defining step — a long, controlled process that builds the deep red fruit sweetness and juicy complexity that define this lot, while the traditional casa elida drying preserves the clean, sparkling acidity that gives the cup its distinctive bright finish.

THE CUP

A beautifully vibrant and juicy washed Chiroso from one of Urrao's most promising young producers — red grape sweetness, pomegranate depth, and a sparkling lime acidity that lingers long into the finish. Light-bodied, clean, and endlessly drinkable.

Flavour Notes

🍇 Red Grape 🍎 Pomegranate 🍋 Lime