Honeydew Glaze - Colombia

High in the mountains of southern Colombia, the Inga people of Aponte have cultivated a deep connection to their land for centuries. Descendants of Indigenous communities with strong Incan heritage, around 5,000 Inga people continue to live in Aponte today, preserving their language, traditions and collective approach to land stewardship.

Today, coffee provides an important livelihood for smallholder families across the Resguardo Inga Aponte. The community is governed collectively through a cabildo, with traditional values and environmental stewardship remaining central to its approach to agriculture.

Aponte's cool mountain climate, persistent mist and rich volcanic soils create ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation.

This lot is composed of Caturra and given Aponte's exceptional altitude, it matures slowly under cool temperatures and frequent cloud cover. This extended development allows the cherries to build greater sweetness and complexity, while the variety's naturally bright acidity remains beautifully defined.

Around 80% of coffee produced in Aponte is honey processed, a method that reflects both the region's climate and the community's commitment to reducing water use. Fully ripe cherries are hand-picked before being pulped, leaving a layer of sticky mucilage surrounding the beans. Each producer processes and dries their coffee on their own property, using stacked raised-bed solar dryers designed to take advantage of the cold mountain winds. The naturally slow drying allows gentle fermentation to take place, developing sweetness and body while preserving the coffee's vibrant acidity and clarity.

In the cup expect bright grapefruit and plum, followed by a deeper, rounded sweetness and a lingering cocoa-like finish.

• Region: Narino
• Country: Colombia
• Elevation: 2,150 masl
• Variety: Caturra
• Process: Honey