Single Origin

It’s no secret we love to carefully blend coffees (our name is a bit of a giveaway). But even we have to admit, many specialty-grade coffees are just so tasty and vibrant that there is no need to mess with these gems.

We’re excited to introduce a very special coffee varietal as our new Single Origin: Pink Bourbon, sourced from our friends at Caravela Coffee.

This coffee marks the start of a new Caravela project, kicking off with an exclusive first taste of the Melao lot’s inaugural harvest from the producers based mainly in southern Huila.

According to several DNA studies, Pink Bourbon is closely related to an Ethiopian landrace, although the exact lineage remains unclear. The name "Pink Bourbon" gained popularity when early producers noted its resemblance to the Bourbon variety and its distinctive pink-hued cherries. The name stuck and today, it’s widely recognised in the specialty coffee world.

In recent years, Pink Bourbon has become a staple in Colombia, celebrated for its consistently sweet and vibrant cup profile. Its sweetness is reminiscent of "melao", a traditional Colombian syrup made from melted panela and water, commonly used to sweeten desserts. In that sense, Pink Bourbon is like a dessert in a cup: bright, sweet, and full of character.

This variety is widely cultivated in the southern part of Huila and is gradually spreading to other departments. According to local producers, Pink Bourbon originated on a farm in San Adolfo, in the municipality of Acevedo, Huila. There, the tree began to exhibit unique traits, such as its signature pinkish hue with striped cherries when ripe. On the cupping table, it stood out with a distinctive and consistent flavour profile, quickly gaining attention. From that original farm, seedlings were sold or gifted to other farmers, helping spread the variety across the region.

Many of the producers in southern Huila come from other parts of Colombia, including Cauca, Nariño, and Caquetá. They migrated to Huila in search of better opportunities and turned to coffee, which is one of the region’s main agricultural activities. Most coffee growers here are second-generation farmers, with a mix of first and third-generation producers as well. For them, coffee is both a livelihood and a passion, driving their continuous pursuit of quality and better market prices.

Over the past decade, Pink Bourbon has gained popularity among farmers for its high cup quality, regardless of the processing method (washed, honey, or natural). It has shown resilience to climate change and strong resistance to pests and diseases such as leaf rust, while maintaining solid yields.

This particular lot was processed using the washed method. The contributing producers behind “Melao” begin by selectively hand-picking ripe cherries. These cherries are then depulped at the farm’s wet mill, washed once or twice, and moved to the drying area. In some cases, the coffee is initially shade-dried to remove excess moisture before being transferred to covered drying patios. The drying process takes between 15 and 25 days to reach the ideal moisture level. After drying, the coffee is rested for one to two weeks before being delivered to one of Caravela’s purchasing stations in southern Huila, where it undergoes both physical and sensory evaluation.

Also, this lot of Melao has "AA" grade: AA Grade signifies high-quality coffee beans that are larger and more uniform in size, characteristics typically linked to greater flavour clarity and consistency. Within Caravela's sourcing standards, this grade reflects a dedication to selecting only the most exceptional lots.

We roasted this coffee to let its personality shine! Think of a vibrant medley of fruits with a twist, layers of juicy red berries like strawberry and raspberry, zesty pink grapefruit, and crisp sour cherry. The texture evokes passion fruit yoghurt, wrapped in a delicate sparkle of nougat or sugarcane sweetness. To top it off, a fragrant aroma of orange blossom lingers in the air.

It’s a flavour adventure in every sip, perfect for curious taste buds and bold coffee lovers alike.