El Vergel Guava Banana

Get to know this coffee in detail

The Guava Banana story begins with the careful selection of ripe cherries of the Red and Yellow Caturra varieties, guaranteeing exceptional quality from the renowned El Vergel Estate in Fresno, Tolima, managed by coffee growers Elías and Shady Bayter.

The beans undergo a 60-hour anaerobic fermentation, which enhances their fruity flavor profile with hints of jelly beans.

Initially, they are sun-dried on raised beds in a "Marquee" until they reach 30% humidity.

They are then transferred to mechanical drying in circular dryers at temperatures below 45°C, until a humidity level of 18%-16% is reached.

The grains are then stabilized for 45 days in GrainPro bags.

This meticulous natural anaerobic process results in a rich and complex flavor profile with notes that stand out in the cup.

Meet the producer

Guava Banana: The Story of an Exceptional Coffee

The Origin of Guava Banana

The story of Guava Banana begins at El Vergel Estate, a coffee farm located in Fresno, Tolima. This coffee is the result of years of experimentation and passion for specialty coffee, led by the Bayter family. However, the path to this exceptional coffee was not direct: El Vergel began its agricultural history with the cultivation of avocados.

In 1995, the Bayter family decided to invest in agriculture, and El Vergel became their main project. For more than a decade, avocado was their star crop, but in 2006, falling prices led them to explore new opportunities. It was then that they began planting coffee varieties such as Catimore and Caturra Rojo y Amarillo. Without realizing it at the time, they were taking the first steps toward creating one of their farm's most iconic coffees.

A Leap into Specialty

The real shift toward specialty coffee came in 2016, when, with the guidance of Miguel Jiménez, they began planting specific varieties and perfecting their processes. Two years later, in 2018, the farm implemented natural fermentation methods, becoming pioneers in fermentation control and exploring new ways to enhance the profile of their coffees. Their innovation reached its peak with Koji fermentation, a revolutionary technique in the world of green coffee.

Today, El Vergel Estate is run by Martha Montenegro and her partners, Elías and Shady Bayter. Together, they have transformed the farm into a center of experimentation, technology, and community, elevating the quality of the coffee they produce and the social impact they generate.

The Guava Banana Process

Guava Banana is one of El Vergel Estate's flagship coffees. It comes from a microlot located next to the washing station, surrounded by guava trees, which contribute to its distinctive flavor profile. This coffee is grown from over 40,000 Red and Yellow Caturra plants, planted between 2016 and 2018.

The process begins with the manual selection of ripe cherries, ensuring that only the fruits at their peak reach the next stage. The beans then undergo controlled anaerobic fermentation for 48 to 60 hours. This stage enhances the coffee's fruity flavors and complexity.

The drying process is carried out in two phases. First, the grains are placed on raised beds in a canopy for sun drying until they reach 30% moisture content. They are then transferred to mechanical drying in circular dryers at temperatures below 45°C, until a moisture content of 18%-16% is reached. To ensure optimal stability, the grains are stored for 45 days in GrainPro bags.

The result of this meticulous process is a coffee with a complex and vibrant flavor profile, with notes of plum, guava, red berries, hibiscus, citric acidity, and jelly beans. Each cup of Guava Banana is a sensorial experience that reflects El Vergel Estate's commitment to quality and innovation.

A Coffee That Makes a Difference

Guava Banana not only represents the hard work and passion of the Bayter family, but also the evolution of specialty coffee in Colombia. From its origins in avocado plantations to the innovation in fermentation processes, this coffee is a testament to the capacity for reinvention and the constant pursuit of excellence.

Every sip of Guava Banana is an invitation to discover the history, science, and art behind a cup of specialty coffee. And in every bean, you'll find the effort of a family committed to transforming their farm into a global benchmark for quality coffee.