Jorge Andrade
Jorge Andrade is not a generational coffee farmer. He is, however, an accomplished farmer, with a deep understanding of nature, plant health, and the development of excellent quality fruit. His approach to coffee has been shaped by this, and some unexpected circumstances in his life. ‘Picudo’, as Jorge is known, was a fruit farmer in northern Colombia for many years, based in the border region between Colombia and Venzuela.
Due to the historic relationship between the two countries, the majority of Picudo’s business was in Venzuela, selling stone fruit, especially plums, over the border. After the collapse of the Venzuelan economy and the subsequent migrant crisis in the late 2010’s, Picudo’s home region changed drastically. Many businesses that worked across the border ceased to exist, as Venezuelans could simply no longer afford to import goods during a period of aggressive hyper inflation. Picudo made the tough decision to leave home, and ended up with a small plot of land in Huila, near to the coffee centre of Palestina.
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The Sanchez-Mosquera Connnection
It was here he met our long term partner Orlando Sanchez, the patriarch of the Sanchez-Mosquera family we have worked with for many years. Orlando saw Picudo’s struggle, and offered him some seeds from his own lands; Pink Bourbon and Geisha. These allowed him to start his journey as a coffee producer, shaped by his time as a deciduous fruit grower in the north. Picudo didn’t even have the capital to invest in a de-pulper, so had to process his first crops the only way he could, as naturals.
When it came time for Picudo’s first full harvest a few years later, this also became a problem; there are coffee buying centres all over Colombia, especially in renowned growing regions like Huila, but none know how to deal with anything other than clean, white, washed parchment. Picudo’s natural Pink Bourbon and Geisha was simply too far from the ‘Cafe de Colombia’ mould. It was here that Orlando stepped in again, introducing Picudo to LaREB, connecting him with buyers willing to pay a premium for his unique product.
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LaREB
The team from LaREB immediately saw his potential, high altitude, excellent shade, organised plantations and careful processing, by an experienced, driven and canny farmer. The introduction only took place last year, and with a few tweaks to practices, Picudo’s most recent harvest is singing.
The clean tropical fruit notes in this Pink Bourbon would almost suggest a washed process, but for the heavy and rich sweetness and creamy body, but with minimal loss in clarity.
An excellent lot to round off our purchases this year from our dear friends at LaREB, a testament to their continuing work in providing new producers with a way into their cooperative model, and to the high end specialty market.
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