Ecuador — Pepe Jijón Finca Soledad Mejorado (Tyoxy Washed)

Tastes Like — 🫐 Blackcurrant • 🍊 Orange • 🍋 Lemon

DETAILS

• Producer: Pepe Jijón
• Farm: Finca Soledad
• Region: Valle de Intag, Imbabura, Ecuador
• Varietal: Mejorado
• Process: Tyoxy Washed
• Altitude: 1,515 masl

INTRO From Pepe Jijón's Finca Soledad in the Valle de Intag — a remarkably clean and elegant Mejorado, capturing the soul of these highlands and the sustainable forest farming that shapes them. Blackcurrant depth sits alongside orange and lemon brightness, layered through a lively, long finish. In the cup: blackcurrant, orange, and lemon.

THE PRODUCER Finca Soledad was founded in 2010 by Pepe Jijón and his father, driven by a desire to create more value across Ecuador's coffee supply chain, and for the country's specialty coffee in particular. Located near the Colombian border in the Intag Valley, Imbabura, the farm spans more than 120 hectares, surrounded by high mountains at 1,515 masl.

THE PROCESS This lot uses the Tyoxy Washed process, a proprietary method distinctive to Finca Soledad's approach to Mejorado — building the clean, elegant clarity and layered fruit character that define this cup.

THE CUP Hot, it opens with apricot, blackcurrant, and blueberry. Warming, blackcurrant, orange, and honey emerge. As it cools, hibiscus, orange, and blackcurrant candy come through, finishing with orange, apricot, and blackberry. The acidity is very lively, layered with malic and tartaric notes; the sweetness high and long-lasting, reminiscent of currants and apricot; and the mouthfeel completely velvet, round, and coating.

Flavour Notes 🫐 Blackcurrant 🍊 Orange 🍋 Lemon