Honey SL28 - Colombia

#RM-011

Super sweet. Super juicy. Super smooth.

This coffee undergoes a unique anaerobic honey  process, developing flavours of sugared peaches and fresh blueberries, with hints of aromatic florals, and a silky smooth texture. At a recent tasting event, this was the clear favourite. 

NOTES: Sweet Peach / Blueberry / Floral

ORIGIN: Colombia

PROCESS: Honey

REGION: Cajamarca, Tolima

FARM: Ojo De Agua

PRODUCER: Esperanza Leiva

VARIETAL: SL28

ALTITUDE: 1900masl

SCA Score: 87

ROAST LEVEL: Light

200g Wholebeans

Growing Coffee, Growing Opportunity.
In the mountains of Cajamarca, Tolima, where mist settles over the coffee trees each morning, Esperanza Leiva has built her life around resilience, family, and exceptional coffee. As a single mother, every harvest represents more than a season's work—it is an investment in her children's future. Through countless early mornings and long days caring for her farm, Esperanza has shown that determination can transform challenges into opportunities. Coffee production for Esperanza is deeply personal. Every cherry is carefully selected, every step of processing is carried out with attention to detail, and every decision is made with quality in mind. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in every cup, producing coffees that express the unique character of Cajamarca's rich volcanic soils and mountain climate. But Esperanza's impact extends beyond her own farm. She has become a source of inspiration within her family, encouraging her mother to embrace specialty coffee production and adopt practices that improve quality and increase the value of each harvest. Together, they demonstrate how knowledge, dedication, and collaboration can create new opportunities across generations. For Esperanza, coffee is more than a livelihood. It is a way to provide education and stability for her children, preserve her family's connection to the land, and prove that women play a vital role in shaping the future of Colombian specialty coffee. Every bag of coffee from Esperanza's farm carries the story of perseverance, family, and craftsmanship. It is a reminder that behind every exceptional cup is a producer whose passion and hard work make it possible. When you enjoy Esperanza Leiva's coffee, you are not only experiencing the distinctive flavours of Cajamarca, Tolima—you are supporting a mother, a farmer, and a woman whose dedication continues to inspire those around her and strengthen the future of her family through specialty coffee.

PROCESSING METHOD

This coffee undergoes an Anaerobic Honey process after harvest. All green coffees go through a fermentation process before drying, and this coffee is fermented anaerobically, as opposed to open-air fermentation. While the term anaerobic means “without air” most coffee that is being fermented anaerobically is in a low-oxygen environment, as fermentation is near impossible without oxygen to move the process along. For this offering, the coffee cherries are fermented overnight in plastic bags before being taken to the mill to be depulped the following day. This method is slightly different from other honey processed coffees where usually the cherries are depulped fairly quickly after harvest. After being depulped, the coffee is moved to stainless steel tanks where the anaerobic process begins. The coffee is left to ferment for 6-48 hours depending on the desired cup quality. After the fermentation stage, the coffee is washed to avoid stains on the parchment. The coffee is dried on raised beds in a greenhouse, and the temperature is controlled to not rise about 45°C. Coffee is moved constantly until it reaches a range of 10-11% of humidity. This can take 3-4 days depending on the weather.

VARIETY INFO.

SL28, a distinguished Arabica coffee variety renowned for its exceptional quality and distinct flavour profile. Originally developed in Kenya, SL28 has garnered global acclaim for its complex character and unique taste. Characterized by its bold acidity, full body, and pronounced sweetness, SL28 offers a sensory journey like no other. With flavour notes ranging from bright citrus to rich blackcurrant and floral undertones, each sip unveils a symphony of flavours that captivates the palate. At the heart of our SL28 beans lies a commitment to excellence – meticulously cultivated and processed to showcase the varietal's inherent brilliance. Indulge in the unparalleled richness and depth of SL28 coffee, and experience a taste of Kenya's coffee heritage with every cup.

SL28 Coffee – From Kenya to the Colombian Andes.

Although SL28 originally comes from East Africa, the variety is now also cultivated in other countries of origin, including Colombia. There, it often shows a slightly different, but equally exciting profile. The combination of high altitudes, volcanic soils, and the diverse microclimate of the Colombian Andes means that SL28 often develops a somewhat rounder sweetness here,while retaining its elegant acidity.