COLOMBIA - La Guaca - Filter

by Micrology Coffee Roasters

In southern Huila, Colombia, lies the bustling agricultural hub of Pitalito, aplace where people from Huila, Cauca, and Putumayo converge for betteropportunities. Coffee plays a vital role here as one of the region's mostsignificant crops. It's also where we meet José Herman Salazar and his family—his wife, Marina Elina Ansasoy, daughter Blanca, and son Johan-at their farm, La Guaca.José Herman, originally from Nariño, moved to Huila in search of a brighterfuture after brief stints ni Putumayo. Invited by a friend to work on a coffeefarm, he discovered his passion for coffee cultivation. In 2001, he purchasedhis own farm near Bruselas, Pitalito, where he initially planted Caturra. Overthe years, he transitioned to specialty varieties like Pink Bourbon (30% of histrees), Castillo (10%), and his unique Bourbon Aíj (60%). This varietyemerged serendipitously when a few trees from his Caturra seeds exhibitedgained recognition after a sample cupped exceptionally wel at Caravela, distinct and