Colombia Productores de Pitalito

This coffee comes from a coffee cooperative in Pitalito called "El Bombo", which is also the name used for a broader growing region in this part of the Andes. The name comes from a local "Bombo" tree that produces seed pods with little spikes surrounding the exterior (see photo), a weapon of choice for schoolyard games! The El Bombo cooperative ("Asombombo") works with hundreds of small coffee farmers across Colombia's southern Huila and Cauca regions, and this lot is from 6 of their members in Pitalito, who's farms are centered around the areas of Oporapa and Isnos. Altitudes range from 1500 to 2000 meters above sea level, and the common varieties are Caturra and Variedad Colombia, though there's also around 600 pounds of Pink Bourbon blended in from one of the farmers. We spent some time at the El Bombo cooperative last July, and joined founder John Edison Díaz on a driving tour of the region, visiting several of the farmers, and even touring a panela association nearby. This is one of about six different El Bombo lots we procured from that trip, and we still have a couple more in store.