Colombia - El Puente (Natural)
Regular price $21.00
Unit price per
Name: El Puente
Country: Colombia
Region: Hulia
Varietal: Caturra & Castillo
Process: Natural
Altitude: 1,800 MASL
Flavor Profile: Peach Tea, Macadamia Nuts, Creme Brûlée
The El Puente processing facility, located in Fundador township, Palestina, Huila, Colombia, serves as a vital link between local smallholder coffee producers and the global specialty coffee industry. Named “El Puente” or “The Bridge,” it symbolizes both a physical connection via a nearby river footbridge and its role in fostering sustainable development and access for producers. Strategically situated 20 minutes from Pitalito and Palestina, the facility allows easy cherry delivery from the region's coffee-rich areas.
The El Puente processing facility, located in Fundador township, Palestina, Huila, Colombia, serves as a vital link between local smallholder coffee producers and the global specialty coffee industry. Named “El Puente” or “The Bridge,” it symbolizes both a physical connection via a nearby river footbridge and its role in fostering sustainable development and access for producers. Strategically situated 20 minutes from Pitalito and Palestina, the facility allows easy cherry delivery from the region's coffee-rich areas.
Established by Clearpath Coffee in 2018, El Puente addresses common challenges faced by smallholder producers:
- Post-harvest infrastructure limitations: Producers often lack adequate drying and storage facilities, risking defects or the need to sell at reduced prices.
- Cash flow constraints: High labor costs during harvest necessitate loans or early, discounted sales of wet parchment.
- Processing risks: Transitioning to sought-after methods like Honey and Natural processes carries risks of defects, despite the potential for higher prices.
El Puente mitigates these issues by purchasing fresh cherries at prices equivalent to dried coffee, assuming processing risks, and connecting farmers to global markets. It operates in partnership with:
- 240 allied coffee-producing families across Palestina, Pitalito, and San Adolfo
- Local producers Claudia Samboni and Rodrigo Sanchez, owners of Aromas del Sur
- Clearpath Coffee, a specialty coffee exporter
- El Puente management team Ayda Samboni and Yarley Calderon
- Felix Samboni, a seasoned community leader
- Aromas del Sur Mill, a cutting-edge facility for milling and export
- Social impact organizations, Yunus Social Business Colombia, and Agora Partnerships, which financed the mill's construction.
Specializing in Honey and Natural processing, El Puente avoids Washed processing due to the absence of water treatment systems, collaborating with producers to support their Washed coffees instead. This sustainable approach uses 80% less water. For Natural processing, cherries are dried in shaded parabolic dryers to regulate temperature.
This lot reflects the innovation and care at El Puente, highlighting its commitment to quality and community impact.
Enjoy $5 flat rate shipping on your whole order. We still offer free local Redding area pickup.
Please note: We roast to order three times a week. Your order will ship as promptly as possible, with the freshest roast possible. You will receive a notification when your order has been shipped or is ready to be picked up locally (if you choose pickup as your shipping option).
If you have any questions, please contact us at order@theorycoffee.com.