Mid-afternoon Matteo

An uplifting all-rounder with a silky sweet kick. Vibrant & Balanced. Toffee, malt & red fruits.

A lighter style of espresso, built for less intensity without losing complexity. Sweet and subtle with milk, brighter and more layered on its own.

Works through an espresso machine or a filter brewer. This is the one we reach for mid-afternoon, when something heavier doesn't fit.

Balboa sits in Cauca, on the border with Nariño, at 1700 masl with an average temperature of 20 to 26°C. We're in our fifth year buying through this group, via our import partner Cofinet, who've worked with these producers since 2011. The crops are 95% traditional Colombian varieties, mostly Castillo, giving the classic red apple and toffee character of the region.

ASOPEP has built a strong reputation since forming in 2013, under the leadership of Camilo Enciso Suarez. This is our fourth year buying from this group. Every member goes through ongoing quality training, which shows up consistently in the cup.

Only ripe cherries are hand-picked, then hand-sorted again to remove any defects. The coffee is sun-dried on raised beds under controlled temperatures, with cherries turned regularly until they reach the right moisture for full flavour development.