Carlos Guamanga, Colombia Espresso

On Carlos' lush, verdant farm, El Recuerdo, dense forest surrounds thousands of coffee trees. Though Carlos' beloved Caturra trees have produced exceptional coffee, the plants are deeply vulnerable to the threat of coffee leaf rust, and Carlos has begun slowly changing over to hardier Pink Bourbon. We're fortunate to have secured some of his last harvests of Caturra, which showcase some of the sweet, nuanced qualities this variety is best known for. The decision to transition is only one of Carlos' thoughtful agricultural decisions. His coffee education began at age 15, and has included formal cupping and roasting training and years of experimental processing. Together with his wife, Pato, Carlos operates El Recuerdo with environmentally friendly, sustainable agriculture practices.