ECUADOR - Yambamine Sidra “Passion Flowers” (Washed CM)
Sweven (Bristol)
Ecuador - Yambamine Sidra “Passion Flowers” 114g
– “A special preparation lot on which we developed the processing protocols at the farm alongside our dear friend René Buitrón – the son of Diana Velez”.
what to expect in the cup
Cloudberry, tangerine, magnolia. Incredibly sweet and complex with tangy juicy berries acidity and outstanding botanical aromatics.
Region: Sozoranga
Variety: Sidra
Process: Washed CM
During our visit at Finca Chorora & Yambamine back in July 2022, we decided to experiment with René and try something different this time. We woke up early and went up in their highest altitude farm Yambamine picking cherries all morning and in the afternoon we floated the fruits and hand graded them. Afterwards we de pulped the cherries and placed the seeds with the mucilage inside tanks. Instead of discarding the “pulpa” or the skin of the fruit, we decided to squeeze it in order to release its juice and place it inside the tanks as an addition to the fermentation by also adding Lactobacillus starter. We then sealed the tanks and introduced C02, creating an anaerobic environment in order to control the fermentation for 6 days. And finally after fermentation is finished, the parchment is washed and left to dry for around 24-30 days on covered raised beds. The results were apparently amazing and René had decided to continue implementing these protocols and called this process “Passion Flowers” as it was born out of our mutual passion for experimentation and constant strive towards improvement and innovation.
Producer Notes
Yambamine is owned by Diana Velez and it is the sister farm of Chorora owned by Olinka Velez. These farms are located next to each other on a steep hillside surrounded by primary cloud forest and crossed by the old ‘Inca Road’ that once connected Cuzco with Quito. The land has stunning views towards the valley of Macara and Peru on the horizon. Diana describes their venture in coffee as a transformative way of life. Both sisters started planting coffee around the year 2010 after some big life changes, since then they’ve been drawn from the city into the land, investing a lot of effort, time and emotion into producing coffee. This land, as Diana and Olinka would describe it, is mystical and charged with good energy.
The farm is divided into two main parcels. Chorora which means ‘water well’ in Kichwa and Yambamine, which means ‘land of gold. In both lots there are a total of 8 hectares of planted coffee. The varietals produced here are Typica Mejorado, Catuai, Hybrid, Sidra and at the moment they are experimenting with new varietals such as Wush Wush and Morita. A research laboratory is currently being built in the farm to search for new processes and experiment with cross breeding different varietals.
The farm is divided into two main parcels. Chorora which means ‘water well’ in Kichwa and Yambamine, which means ‘land of gold. In both lots there are a total of 8 hectares of planted coffee. The varietals produced here are Typica Mejorado, Catuai, Hybrid, Sidra and at the moment they are experimenting with new varietals such as Wush Wush and Morita. A research laboratory is currently being built in the farm to search for new processes and experiment with cross breeding different varietals.