TONGUE OF THE SERPENT, Colombia

Suitable for all brewing methods.

Roasters Notes: Peach Nectar, Guava, Mango

Granja Paraíso 92 sits in Piendamó, in the Cauca region of Colombia. The farm is held by Wilton Benitez, a producer who treats post-harvest as a controlled discipline rather than an inherited habit. Volcanic soil, cool mountain air and clean spring water define the site. What separates the lots is the work done after the cherry leaves the tree.

Cherries are handpicked at full ripeness and sealed into anaerobic fermentation, where enzymatic activity builds under measured conditions. The fruit then passes through a thermoshock stage, cycling between hot and cold water to arrest fermentation at a fixed point and hold the aromatic compounds in place. From there the whole cherry is dried slowly on raised beds to a moisture content of 10 to 12 percent. Nothing is pulped. Skin and mucilage stay on the seed for the full drying period, and that is where the weight of this lot comes from.

Tabi is a Colombian selection drawn from Typica, Bourbon and Timor Hybrid stock, developed for resilience without surrendering cup structure. Grown at 1,930 metres, the cherry matures slowly and the seed builds density and sweetness in the process. Altitude does the work that no post-harvest method can replace.