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From Curve Coffee

The San Lorenzo group is part of the Cooperativa de Caficultores de Alto Occidente de Caldas which was established in 1964. It is an indigenous group of producers based in the Rio Sucio municipality of Caldas where there are 11,500 inhabitants with 1,150 farmers producing coffee within 21 communities. Until recently, this region was heavily inhabited by paramilitary groups and guerrillas, who looked to control this central corridor in Colombia. The region has not been known for specialty coffee production but as the local tensions have eased and access improved, it is now possible to showcase the great quality of the coffees available from this area. The indigenous inhabitants believe in the Pacha Mama – earth goddess, and see the land as a living being. To them it is their duty to protect the natural environment and have as little impact as possible from their farming of coffee and to leave it as it has always been. Each farmer has approximately 0.5 hectares of land with about 2500 coffee trees. During the harvest season, families work with their neighbours to select ripe cherry before de-pulping and fermenting the coffee in water for 16 -24 hours, depending on the weather. The coffee is then washed and put out to dry on small drying patios, usually on the roofs of houses, for between 8 – 14 days. Then it is delivered to the cooperative where it is assessed and allowed to rest before being milled and prepared for shipment.