A QUIET HOLIDAY
I refuse to do blends at Quietly because I always want to celebrate those unique and wonderful elements tied to a single place. While they can be tasty, blends too often operate as a way for the industry to pay low prices for coffee. And yet, I am very sentimental and want to take part in the holiday blend fun! So, I’m once again bringing in a special coffee that decks the halls and rings the bells when it comes to those nostalgic, sweet, and wonderful holiday flavours of baked goods!
Speaking of traditions, we are again bringing in this special Juan Martin offering that we first roasted for the World AeroPress Championship! The farm is owned and operated by Banexport, who focuses on innovation and experimentation with rare varietals. This Striped Red Bourbon was first discovered in San Adolfo and has visibly distinct orange stripes against a red cherry when fully mature. Given its relatively recent emergence, there is yet to be any genetic testing or any published information but one thing is certain: it is delicious.
Beyond the cultivation of rare offerings, Juan Martin serves as a resource and example for coffee producers that sell and export their coffees through Banexport. Located in the highest area of Sotara, just 30 mins from Cauca's capital of Popayan, Juan Martin is dedicated to developing environmentally-conscious practices as well as providing jobs to community members with educational opportunities.
Various maintenance tasks are carried out at Juan Martín Farm: soil conservation is done because of the steep slope of the farm; undergrowth is allowed to grow to avoid erosion; evaluations are made on coffee crops to identify pests or diseases and eliminate them; the surface of the tree is cleaned every 75 days and coffee the space between rows is cleared with a scythe every 2 months.
Once again, Juan Martin’s unique Striped Red Bourbon delivers a cup full of festive fun, jingle bells, and cozy vibes. With its solid cocoa backbone, it pairs nice sweetness and slightly savory flavours. It is floral and syrupy, with a heavy fruit cake flavour and just a hint of plum. The winey acidity alludes to rum balls, red cherry, and sugar plums. The finish lingers with a delicate chocolate note over tropical passionfruit and a creamy meringue note. As a holiday cup, it fills me with memories of the long ride home from my Grandmother Allie’s farm. Being slightly too-warm in a winter parka pressing my head against frosty windows to watch the snowy Prairie fields pass under the stars.
Light-Medium.
Sugar Plums, Ambrosia Cake & Cherry Rum Balls.
REGION:
Sotara, Cauca.
FARM:
VARIETAL:
Striped Red Bourbon.
ELEVATION:
2050m.
PROCESS:
Washed.
IMPORTER:
Cafe Imports.
FOB PRICING:
$19.95 USD per Kilogram.
(This is the price before transport costs including shipping, brokerage, etc.)
YEARS PARTNERED:
Four Harvests (2022, 2023, 2025 & 2025).