A washed Gesha from the heights of Cauca, Colombia
La Macarena is part of our Wild category, which we reserve for coffees with experimental processes, rare varieties, or both! This one fits perfectly as a Gesha variety, a carefully controlled washed process, and a high-altitude plot in Cauca, Colombia that doesn't show up in many roasters' lineups. Every step from sorting, depulping, washing, and drying under controlled conditions was designed to protect and amplify what the altitude and varietal already offer.
You can expect a crisp, bright acidity reminiscent of fresh lemonade, balanced by ripe apricot sweetness and lifted by pronounced tea-like aromas that drift between oolong and earl grey.
This lot comes from producer Oscar Riascos, who co-owns La Macarena with his brother Darwin and the acclaimed Colombian producer Wilton Benitez — an acclaimed Colombian coffee producer known for pushing innovation in processing and creating some of the world's best coffees. Together the producers created a company, Varietals Finos, which oversees two neighbouring farms, La Macerena as well as Granja Paraiso 92.
The Gesha variety is something the farm specializes in, and for good reason. Its origins trace back to Ethiopia, but it found remarkable success when introduced to the Americas, where producers and drinkers alike prize it for its complex, lush character — often with striking floral and fruity notes. It's also notoriously difficult to grow. Gesha trees are more susceptible to disease, yield less fruit, and demand more space than other varieties, meaning significantly more work for less output. Still, the quality in the cup makes it worth it, and growers who get it right are rewarded with something genuinely special.
This is one of those coffees. Processed to let the varietal and terroir do the talking, we hope you love it as much as we do!