Counter Culture Coffee wrote:LA GOLONDRINA - 12 OZ BAG

Story
Coffee exporter Virmax introduced us to Orgánica about five years ago, at which point the coffee-growing association was still establishing itself as a viable organization and was only able to produce small amounts of coffee. Most of Colombia's certified organic coffee from small producers comes out of Cauca and the growers of Orgánica had all belonged to larger, regional cooperatives before joining Orgánica in hopes of finding recognition for their high-quality product and more accountability from the organization. Nelson Melo and Liliana Pabón, both of whom have backgrounds in organizing, galvanized a handful of growers to sell coffee to Virmax for the first time in 2005, and, over the next few years, membership and overall production grew steadily.

In late 2009, the aforementioned leaf rust struck Colombia and reduced Orgánica's output by 75 percent, but, with perseverance and patience by all parties, production has rebounded. In 2010, we crafted our annual Holiday Blend from La Golondrina, and a dollar per pound sold supported organic composting and soil building projects with Orgánica's farmers. We're now seeing those funds put to good use, and we know that the group has a better chance of surviving in Colombia's productivity-focused coffee industry with these resources and our ongoing relationship.

Co-op History
Colombia's tiny, family-run farms have traditionally sold their produce to exporters for mass-market blending and homogenization, causing many of the country's most exquisite coffees to get lost in the mix. Our unique La Golondrina project, however, partners directly with Cauca's most talented, dedicated farmers to source only the best lots of each harvest, creating the most sublime Colombian coffee experience there is. Layers upon layers of sweet caramel, chocolate, and cherry support La Golondrina's classic, citrusy brightness. This is what Colombian coffee is meant to be.