Big Red Truck Dark Blend
Our signature dark roast always consists of a blend of both washed and natural process coffees. Using a natural process coffee adds a rich sweetness and complexity to this coffee that is not lost even when roasting for longer to achieve the dark profile.
We are currently tasting notes of dark chocolate, crème brûlée, and warm spices in Big Red Truck.
What's in Big Red Truck?
Varieties: Castillo
Growing Altitude: 1950–2100 masl
Processing Method: Natural
This component of the Big Red Truck blend is comprised of high-scoring coffees from eight smallholder farms who deliver their harvests to the Manos Juntas mill for processing. The coffee cherries undergo anaerobic fermentation for five days, are aged for an additional five days, and are then dried on solar dryers for anywhere from 30 to 45 days.
Natural processed coffees are known for their distinct and bold notes of sweetness, jammy fruit, and even wine, since the coffees’ fruit is left on the seed (bean) for several days and is not removed until after it has dried, whereas with the more common washed process, the fruit and mucilage is typically removed within 24 hours of being harvested.
Smallholder farmers delivering to a centralized mill like Manos Juntas are able to take advantage of the technology and infrastructure needed for processing, such as drying beds, fermentation tanks, and depulpers, without having to pay for or maintain these themselves, and being able to focus on agricultural practices and healthy harvests. Producers who deliver coffees to Manos Juntas for processing are paid upfront at a fixed price well above market value, which increases financial stability for producers.
Variety: Castillo
Growing Altitude: 1560 masl
Processing Method: Washed
Finca Palmichal is high on the western side of the Central Andes mountain range, near the municipality of Genova, in the department of Quindío. This region went through violent and difficult times during the peak of the guerrilla expansion in the country. But now, after the negotiation between the government and the FARC, there is hope among these communities for many safe and happy years to come.
Producer Atilano Giraldo is the third generation of his family to grow coffee in Quindío, and he grew up working in coffee alongside his father. Gradually, he acquired additional properties, including Finca Palmichal, which he bought from the local Osorio family.
Recently, after years of hard work, and in order to help the development of his region, Don Atilano ran and was elected as a senator in the Colombian parliament representing Quindío.
