Classic: Recolectores 2021

Variety: Castillo, Colombia

Producer: Narino Small-Holder

Processing: Washed

Origin: Narino, Colombia

Altitude: 1800M

Score: 87

We're happy to have Recolectores back in the rotation again this year! For the uninitiated, the concept behind Recolectores is to acknowledge the importance of unappreciated workers in the coffee supply chain: coffee pickers. They play an important role in producing delicious coffees, but are often under-paid and treated as basic, unskilled labor. "Recolectores" is a project by a cooperative in Yacuanquer that guarantees a salary and benefits for a group of specially-trained coffee pickers, who then work to harvest the top-quality cherry from several member farmers to sell at a premium. The coffee is always excellent, and the project helps to highlight the impact that trained, fairly paid coffee pickers have on quality.

Coffee from Narino is generally fully washed and dry-fermented, resulting in lots with a juicy mouthfeel and well-layered flavors. This season, we found Recolectores to offer some lavender florals and mango fruit notes to complement its traditional cane-sugar note. We love supporting these farmers and drinking their coffee, and this cup is too good to pass up. If you love Colombian coffee, this one is for you!