SPICE UP Lot #48 Double CM Honey Pink Bourbon (CAD $23/lb)

Origin: Colombia

Region: Calarcá, Quindío

Farm: El Placer

Elevation: 1744 masl

Producer: Sebastián Ramirez

Variety: Pink Bourbon

Process: Double Carbonic Maceration Honey

Cup Profile: Floral, rosemary, pomegranate, cinnamon, orange blossom, clove, vanilla

Cup Score:

• 87.75

Harvest: January 2021

Size: 53lb (24kg) vacuum sealed pack

Farmgate Price: USD $16.5/kg FOB 

Our Purchase Price: USD $26/kg FOB

About El Placer

Finca El Placer is owned by Sebastián Ramirez, a 4th generation coffee producer who has been running his family estate for over a decade.

El Placer means "The Pleasure" in English, and the farm is located in the heart of El Eje Cafetero (the coffee zone) in Calarcá, Quindío at an elevation of 1744 masl.

Sebastián uses natural, washed and honey processes and all varieties undergo carbonic maceration. He utilizes a microbiology lab to develop innovative and exotic coffees.

El Placer has a sustainable approach to farming, avoiding herbicides and removing weeds every 2 months. They prioritize soil health, which results in healthy plants and noticeably translates to the cup level.

Sebastián also supports Bienestar Animal, a foundation that cared for abandoned animals and has adopted several rescued animals, giving them a new home at his farm.

Take a look at their Instagram account to get a better feel for their operation and approach to processing.

About Spice Up

Spice Up is one of the most incredibly unique coffees we have come across in recent memory.

The coffee processing starts with an extremely selective picking process.

3-Stage Hand Selection

First, ripe cherries are picked by hand from trees. Secondly, cherries are submerged in water tanks and floaters are removed from the surface. Finally, cherries are hand-sorted to ensure only the best ones undertake the double fermentation process.

Phase 1 - First Carbonic Maceration

The coffee cherries are immediately sealed inside 200 litre plastic cans filled with CO2 for several hours. Then the cherries are partially pulped with some mucilage remaining.

Phase 2 - Second Carbonic Maceration

Next, the cherries are placed back into CO2-filled plastic cans for the second fermentation.

Throughout each fermentation, PH levels and temperature are carefully monitored. Finally the coffee is dried on elbas (patios) for up to 30 days or until it reaches the desired moisture level between 10-12%