Naranjo is a co-operative and there are over 3000 farmer members. Each farmer brings his coffee to the co-operative to be pulped and milled. The benefits to the community are immense. By being a member, the farmer and family have access to their own supermarket, wholesale supply business and social club as well as on hand agricultural expertise.
The farms are situated between 3000 and 5000 feet above sea level. Produced in volcanic soil the coffee beans are uniform and have a delightful sweetness.
Most of the parchment is sun dried (see below). The advantage to this is that the coffee taste develops naturally, in its own time and becomes more balanced and sweet in cup.
Colombia Huila Los Naranjos de San Agustin
In recent years, some of the best coffees have been coming out of Huila in southern Colombia. Los Naranjos is a coop of 97 small-hold farmers who produce around 2000 bags total per year. This lot is a regular selection; later this year, micro- lots may become available. The coffee has scored in the high 80s in several competitions, including the SCAA cupping pavilion, where it placed 8th. Baked molasses, butter, and cherries are the dominant flavors. However, unlike the El Salvador or Nicaraguan coffees this profile suggests, the Naranjos has excellent body, a brothy background flavor, and a general structured intensity that is reminiscent of Kenya. The meat-broth hints are especially apparent in the aroma, where it is slightly disconcerting. The structure is a product of slight astringency, so this coffee should not be roasted dark, where this will turn into a negative. It is sweet enough to make an unusual, but tasty SO espresso.