KAWA - El Obraje - Colombia - Washed - Caturra

El Obraje's climate and terrain are the main factors that contribute to the unique cup profile of its coffee. The farm is located near many volcanic mountains, and the rocky soil is rich in minerals. El Obraje often does not receive sufficient rainfall and must irrigate some lots using water from the farm's retention basin. Temperatures vary widely in a day, from 32°C at noon to 8°C or less at night. The drastic temperature fluctuations impact the density of the coffee beans, and cause the trees to be more compact than the same variety growing in other parts of Colombia. Humidity is high during the rainy season, making it almost impossible to dry coffee on raised beds. Initially, planting shade trees would have been disadvantageous given the humidity, as they would have trapped too much moisture and caused disease. But the coffee adapted to the conditions, and the farm now has low-density shade trees planted along with the coffee trees.