Chiroso San Carlos

Category: Microlot

Species: Arabica

Variety: Chiroso

Origin: Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia

Producer: Chirosos de San Carlos Project

Farm: El Vergel Estate 

Altitude: 1,800 MASL

Process: Washed

Notes: Chocolate, caramel, sugarcane, citric acid, lemon and tropical fruits Chocolate, caramel, sugarcane, citric acid, lemon, and tropical fruits

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The Chiroso Project of San Carlos was created with the mission of unlocking the full potential of the Chiroso variety and transforming the lives of producers in Urrao, Antioquia. Located in the Penderisco River Valley at 1,900 metres above sea level, coffee is one of the region's main sources of livelihood. The initiative brings together ten families dedicated to coffee production, providing them with training in new post-harvest techniques to enhance bean quality and ensure fairer remuneration through direct trade, allowing producers to earn up to 30% more than through traditional channels.

The excellence of this coffee is reflected in the rigour applied at every stage. Everything begins with the hand-picking of cherries at the ideal stage of ripeness, followed by flotation and meticulous sorting to remove any imperfect fruit.

The coffee then undergoes a double fermentation. First, the cherries undergo a 12-hour aerobic pre-fermentation, with the aim of intensifying their natural sweetness. The cherries are then depulped and transferred to sealed plastic tanks, where they undergo a 36-hour anaerobic fermentation. This controlled environment helps refine the acidity and define the structure of the flavour profile, revealing notes of panela, tropical fruit and chocolate.

After fermentation, the coffee is washed and sun-dried on patios for 12 to 16 days, until it reaches the ideal moisture level. The process concludes with a 24-hour resting period, followed by a final 30-day stabilisation stage in GrainPro bags, allowing the flavours to mature and harmonise.

The result is an exceptional, vibrant and balanced cup that reflects the best of the work and innovation of Urrao’s smallholder farms.