Huila is quite well-known for its ideal coffee growing environments, not only thanks to the soil and climate, but also due to the hard-working producers within the region. Coffee farming in Huila is overwhelmingly small-scale. Indeed, approximately 80% of producers from the region grow coffee on less than 3 hectares of land. These small farms are tended by individual families with labour only rarely being contracted out, which leads to more thorough and intensive management practices and great pride in the final product – which is, itself, an extension of the family. This lot is comprised of Pink and Orange Bourbon and underwent the Honey processing method. After the cherries were carefully harvested at peak ripeness, they were delivered to the wet mill located onsite. They were first washed and floated in tanks of water to remove any floaters. The coffee was then pulped via machine to remove the external fruit skin, leaving a thick layer of mucilage on the bean. After pulping, the coffee fermented in 80-litre tanks filled with clean water for 72 hours. The pH and Brix levels were carefully monitored during this time. Next, the coffee was washed to clean away any remaining mucilage then spread evenly on raised beds to dry in the open sun, drying out the surface moisture. This step helps reduce the excess water absorbed during fermentation. The beans were regularly turned to ensure even drying, which is crucial for maintaining their quality. Once the beans have reached a more manageable moisture level, they were moved to mechanical dryers (silos), where the drying process was carefully controlled for 24 hours. This ensures that the beans dry evenly and gradually, reaching the optimal moisture content for storage and further processing. This coffee placed at the Colombia Land of Diversity Auction, which is a national coffee quality competition organized annually by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC). It is designed to recognize, reward, and promote the immense diversity of specialty coffees produced across Colombia's coffee-growing regions. Open to all Colombian coffee producers, the contest invites farmers to submit their best lots, which are first purchased by the FNC at premium prices. These lots then undergo a rigorous selection process that includes both national and international tasting panels. Lastly, the lots were auctioned off to the highest bidders.
