Colombia

Condor Regional Organic

Tolima, in past years, has not been a typically well-known coffee-producing region in Colombia. It has historically been difficult to traverse and was once heavily infiltrated by the Colombian leftist army, the FARC. Their presence contributed to the region’s isolation and gave the area a reputation for being unsafe and violent. Since roughly 2012, as the Colombian government maintains peace talks with the rebels, it has been safe enough to travel to the region.

Not only that, but coca production was a prominent source of income for the locals, making coffee production in Tolima more obscure and less known. Yet, this has shifted, with more coffee being grown today than coca, providing a safer, more reliable source of income for producers.

Farm Condor Regional Organic
Varietal Castillo, Caturra, Colombia
Process Fully washed
Altitude 1,250 to 1,826 metres above sea level
Town / City Ataco
Region Tolima
Owner Asociación Multiactiva de Productores café Excelencia de Ataco Tolima (Café Excelencia) farms
Tasting Notes Milk Chocolate, Plum, Lemon
Farm Size 1 - 5 hectares on average

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About Colombia

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Condor Regional Organic

Coffee is now a main crop of Tolima, in addition to growing beans and the raising of cattle. Yet, coffee is responsible for a significant portion of income for the locals. This is thanks, especially, to the organized groups that have emerged to gather producers together and provide them with resources to improve production and maximize income.

One such organization is the Asociación Multiactiva de Productores Café Excelencia de Ataco Tolima (Café Excelencia), made up of 84 small farms in the municipality of Ataco in Tolima. Each producer runs their own mill, able to process and dry their coffee after harvesting the cherries. With pulping facilities, fermentation tanks, and raised beds – these producers have truly refined coffee production. Our exporting partner in Colombia, Cóndor, now work with the Association, supporting the farmers by selling their coffee internationally.

This coffee is also certified organic, meaning that the producers use no chemicals on their farms. A remarkable group of producers, showing how coffee can help shift the community towards a brighter, safer, and more profitable future.

About Colombia

Colombia is the third largest coffee-producing country in the world, and thanks to its vast array of unique microclimate, are able to have harvests throughout the year.

Commercial coffee cultivation began in the mid-1830s and spread so rapidly that throughout the twentieth century coffee already became the country’s leading export. A mountainous topography and many tropical micro-climates contribute greatly to Colombia’s reputation for ideal growing conditions, which – in turn – have helped Colombia establish itself as a recognisable origin around the world.

The diversity of coffee and profiles found across Colombia is enormous and coffee is harvested practically year-round depending on the region. The main harvest takes place from October to February with November and December being the peak months. There is also a second fly (or ‘mitaca’) crop several months later, again varying by region and microclimate.