28 | La Paloma

Spot Continental NJ

Producer
Alfredo Piedrahita		Description
Maple syrup, stone fruit, milk chocolate
Process
Washed		Varietals
Caturra, Colombia
Region
Antioquia		Elevation
2,000 meters
Position
Spot		Warehouse
Continental, New Jersey
Growing up at his parents farm, Alfredo inherited his father’s passion for coffee. When the time came to purchase his own land, he chose to stay in the area known for it’s unique fertile soil. However, his 30 years at La Paloma are not something to be taken for granted. In early 2000, violence between illegal groups erupted as they vied for control of the region. Several people were killed including one of Alfredo’s brothers and one of his cousins. After enduring these hardships, there was hope for of stability in the Colombian government’s peace treaty with the FARC in 2016. Unfortunately , different illegal groups are still interested in the illicit enterprises left behind in the wake of the treaty. Alfredo’s resilience and commitment to keep working at his farm are remarkable. We are humbled to work with people like him.

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200 | Cedral

Spot Continental NJ

Producer
Various		Description
Chocolate, caramel, sugar cane
Process
Washed		Varietals
Castillo, Colombia
Region
Antioquia		Elevation
1,800 to 1,900 meters
Position
Spot		Warehouse
Continental, New Jersey
We selected a group of coffees that are balanced, sweet, and smooth for this lot. Located in the Antioquia region of Colombia, these farms have a similar altitude and microclimate. This allows for a consistent profile. Our goal with the Cedral blend is to appeal to customers that are looking for a sweet and balanced coffee with mild acidity. This coffee check all the boxes.
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31 | El Arrayan

Spot Continental NJ

Producer
Jhon Valencia		Description
Citric, honey, caramel, cocoa powder
Process
Washed		Varietals
Castillo, Caturra
Region
Antioquia		Elevation
2,100 meters
Position
Spot
Warehouse
Continental, New Jersey
One of Finca El Arrayan’s greatest assets is it’s location – high altitude, volcanic soil, ideal microclimate. Unfortunately, the farm’s greatest weakness is also it’s location – previously a FARC stronghold, Ituango is now caught in the post-conflict crosshairs. While the peace treaty brought an agreement between the government and FARC, it has opened the door for new armed groups to move in, each vying for a slice of the illicit enterprise left behind. People now live with a bag packed, ready to leave on short notice, and there have already been a few displacements in the last two years.

Jhon is no stranger to the turbulence of the area. Like many others, his family fell victim to the decades of violence with two of his brothers being kidnapped, one of them being killed. He persisted then and continues to now. Watching the strength and tenacity of Jhon and other farmers in this region has us more committed than ever, regardless of the challenges.
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30 | El Edén

Spot Continental NJ

Producer
Francisco Giraldo		Description
Chocolate, maple syrup, sugar cane, citrus
Process
Washed		Varietals
Castillo, Caturra
Region
Antioquia		Elevation
1,850 meters
Position
Spot
Warehouse
Continental, New Jersey
Our strong relationship with Francisco has helped us work through some particularly challenging times over the past two years. A resurgence of activity among illegal paramilitary groups in the area had a direct impact on the farmers and their families. With multiple displacements during the harvest, Francisco and his wife, Amparo, were forced to leave cherries in the fields, pack their belongings, and move the family to the nearest town in search of safety.

Francisco continues to look towards the future and it does not surprise us that he remains so dedicated in the face of adversity. He has lived through many years of armed conflict and fell victim to a landmine himself in 2009. Lucky to escape with his life, he lost one eye as well as his sense of taste and smell. However, his dedication to his coffee never faltered. He grew up working with coffee alongside his father at El Edén and chose to continue the legacy after his father passed away.
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84 | La Soledad – Chiroso

Spot Continental NJ

Producer
Ivan Montoya		Description
Floral, lemongrass, maple syrup, honey
Process
Washed		Varietals
Chiroso
Region
Antioquia		Elevation
2,050 meters
Position
Spot		Warehouse
Continental, New Jersey
A native of Urrao, Antioquia, Ivan began his coffee endeavors after inheriting a piece of land from his grandparents called La Soledad. Over the last 14 years, Ivan has developed about 3,000 Chiroso trees and credits the elevation of the farm, over 2,000 meters above sea level, as the secret ingredient to the high quality coffee he produces. In addition, the fertile soil allows for diversification as he also produces avocados and naranjilla.

Ivan is certainly proud of the coffee he produces, but he is even more humbled that it allows him to provide for his aging grandparents. 
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62 | La Loma – Caturra

Spot Continental NJ

Producer
Wilmar Montoya		Description
Sweet, floral, molasses, apple
Process
Washed		Varietals
Caturra
Region
Antioquia		Elevation
2,000 meters
Position
Spot		Warehouse
Continental, New Jersey
Ever the traditionalist, Wilmar is one of the few producers in Colombia that still grows the caturra varietal at his farm. The delicate coffee varietal is very susceptible to diseases such as leaf rust or infestations of “la broca”, causing many farmers to opt for sturdier  hybrids. However, the combination of La Loma’s altitude and Wilmar’s dedication have allowed the caturra coffee to thrive. Over 70% of the coffee produced at La Loma is caturra and the rest is variedad colombia (a caturra hybrid).

Wilmar lives at La Loma with his wife, Erika, and two daughters, Valentina and Luciana. He has been working with coffee for about 17 years but is only beginning his journey into specialty coffee. He is diving right in and already making improvements to enhance the quality of his coffee. We are very excited about our new relationship with Wilmar and see a lot of potential. The location of the farm, at over 2,000 meters above sea level, and the coffee varietals grown already bring a lot to the table. The future at La Loma is certainly bright.
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