We weren't planning on buying any new Colombian coffee when this lot came across out cupping table, but sometimes when Mark from Caravela sends over samples there's no way to avoid placing an order. Such was the case for this Aji Bourbon. In Spanish, "Aji" means chili, and this varietal is named for the aroma of the ripe cherries which is similar to peppers. The Aji may actually not be bourbon, but in fact an Ethiopian landrace which was grown from seeds taken from the Colombian National Coffee Federation. Either way, after the success of this varietal in the Colombian Cup of Excellence, it is becoming increasingly popular.

This lot, from Hedier's farm El Paraiso, is a perfect representation of the varietals potential and it's reputation as a "Geisha Killer". It has tonnes of rich caramel which integrates with it's fruitiness and reminds us of cooked peach. The Aji's floral aroma is intense and the coffee's structure is syrupy and mouth coating, a quality enhanced by the excellent processing at El Paraiso. It's an incredible coffee and represents the very best of what Colombian coffees can be.

Origin: El Paraiso/Pitalito/Huila/Colombia
AlTITUDE: 1670 masl
VARIETAL: Aji Bourbon
PROCESSING : Extended Washed Process
NOTES: Floral/Cooked Fruit/Syrupy