Santiago Quiroga // COLOMBIA

What Did You Taste?

From The Importer

What makes this Cenicafé lot so special is the careful, washed double fermentation process that is carried out at Finca Florencia. Cherries are selectively hand-picked at peak ripeness and undergo an extended two-stage fermentation: an initial anaerobic phase in sealed tanks followed by a secondary aerobic fermentation. This method allows Santiago to achieve a higher clarity in flavour, emphasizing the sweetness and balance of the traditional Cenicafé 1 cultivar. 

Grown at 1600 masl in the volcanic soils of Quindio, the coffee develops a clean and structured profile with notes of sugar cane, yellow fruits caramel and a dark chocolate finish. Beyond processing, cultivating each variety in isolated plots to preserve their unique expression is also what sets this lot apart. While Finca Florencia is known for growing over seven cultivars, this lot stands out for its consistency and depth. 

The Florencia farm stands out for its commitment to eco-friendly practices. By using 100% solar drying and avoiding herbicides, the farm not only protects the local ecosystem but also ensures a sustainable production process. Their state-of-the-art water-saving equipment significantly reduces water usage, allowing the farm to save money that is reinvested into other green practices, making their production even more sustainable.

This balance of eco-conscious innovation and traditional hand-picking methods sets Alma Silvestre apart from other specialty coffees. Santiago Quiroga’s dedication to sustainability means that every cup combines the best of Quindio with the expertise of his team, resulting in a high-quality, ethically produced coffee that both roasters and consumers can enjoy.

Alma Silvestre focuses on growing specialty coffee blending traditional methods with sustainable practices to produce high-quality coffee. They avoid the use of agricultural herbicides and have put in place eco-friendly techniques like solar drying and manual weed control, preserving Quindio’s coffee heritage while keeping very high standards.

Founded by Santiago Quiroga after the COVID pandemic, he left corporate life in Bogotá to manage and elevate his father’s farm La Florencia, in Quindío, Colombia. His mission is to maintain Colombian coffee's reputation as one of the best in the world, and he’s doing an amazing job at it.