Colombia Campo Hermoso Papayo Carbonic Washed (24kg Vac Pack)

Founded in 2000, Campo Hermoso has grown into a beacon of specialty coffee under the leadership of Edwin Noreña. Originally producing washed coffees for the commodity market, the farm shifted its focus in 2014 to specialty coffee, embracing innovation and quality. Today, Campo Hermoso is celebrated for its flagship varieties: Bourbon Sidra and Rosado, Sudan Rume or, in this case, the rare and mysterious Papayo, all crafted through cutting-edge cultivation and processing techniques.

The origins and genetic lineage of the Papayo variety are, at the time of writing, a mystery. 'Discovered' in the municipality of Acevedo, the variety is named for its distinctive shape. Unlike the round, spherical cherries of most Arabica trees, Papayo cherries are elongated and pointed, closely resembling a miniature papaya. The trees are remarkably hardy and vigorous, with a structure similar to Caturra but with greater resistance to strong winds and certain localized pests. The cherries often take slightly longer to ripen, allowing for a higher concentration of sugars (Brix content). While its exact migration to Colombia remains a mystery, it has successfully adapted to the high-altitude terroirs of Southern Huila, becoming a localized treasure.

For many years Papayo was thought to be a natural mutation of Caturra (itself a natural mutation of Bourbon). More recently it has been claimed it is genetically distinct from the Bourbon/Typica lineage found in Latin American and related more closely to Ethiopian Landraces. However, without substantial evidence in the public domain, such claims will remain hypotheses. All we know for sure: it's delicious!