Colombia, Jardines Del Edén - Carbonic Maceration

Expect notes of Raspberry, Lime, Jam.

Felipe Arcila is a fourth-generation coffee grower and co-founder of Cofinet, a coffee producer and exporter located in Colombia. Jardines del Edén is Cofinet’s flagship farm, which focuses on growing exotic coffee varieties alongside experimental processing.

We will be releasing two Sidras from Felipe back to back. This first Sidra lot has been processed as a wine from Beajoulais would be, using the carbonic maceration method. This involves fermenting whole coffee cherries in an airtight container, which is then filled with carbon dioxide gas. The CO2 creates an anaerobic environment, preventing the growth of aerobic bacteria. Instead, the cherries ferment due to the action of naturally occurring yeasts.

The fermentation process typically takes place for 24-48 hours, during which time the cherries release sugars and acids. The CO2 gas also helps to break down the cell walls of the cherries, allowing for flavours to be extracted more easily.

The result is an extremely sweet and complex coffee which is reminiscent of raspberry jam, with subtle tropical fruit notes balanced out by citrus acidity.

Though it’s not certified as such, this coffee has all of the necessary organic credentials. The farm's fertile, mineral-rich soil, steady supply of rain, and slightly cooler-than-usual microclimate create an ideal environment for abundant growth. Felipe knows it's important to preserve the farm's unique ecosystem, which is why a lot of the work that takes place at Jardines is about finding ways to create a healthy, low-impact, and closed-loop resource system that allows nature to balance and sustain itself.

For example, the farm has one small waterfall and three water springs that feed its processing operations. The farmers also use biodynamic farming methods, which are designed to promote soil health and biodiversity.