MORIBUND SPIRIT, Colombia

Diego is no stranger to the solemn world of quality coffee. A seasoned barista competition contender, he has been crowned Colombia’s finest on multiple occasions and most recently claimed the title of 2021 World Barista Champion in Milan. Alongside his wife, Derlin, and with the guidance of her parents, Elias Roa and Bellani Sanchez, they have founded their own family farm, Diamante. Here, Diego weaves his hard-earned knowledge and fervour from seed to cup, with an unwavering commitment to quality and the pursuit of new expressions.

Though they stand upon the time-honoured wisdom of Derlin’s parents, Diego remains resolute in seeking out bold and intricate flavour profiles, embracing a wide array of varietals and processing practices. The farm is largely planted with Variety Colombia and Castillo, while rare and exotic cultivars such as Pink Bourbon, Wush Wush and SL28 steadily claim their place upon the land.

Among these rare cultivars, the elusive Papayo varietal has also begun to take root. Known for its peculiar elongated cherry shape and hauntingly complex flavour profile, Papayo yields a cup marked by vibrant tropical fruit, floral overtones and a lingering, almost ethereal sweetness. Its cultivation is both a challenge and a testament to the farm’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of Colombian coffee, forging a legacy built not only on tradition but on the fearless pursuit of the extraordinary.