San Carlos

Colombia

Chirosos project

Chirosos San Carlos Urrao, Antioquia

Penderisco River Valley

Chiroso

1800masl

Washed

Jaffa, Honeydew, and Vanilla.

Chiroso de San Carlos Project is all about unlocking the potential of the Chiroso coffee variety while supporting the hardworking farmers of Urrao, Antioquia. This project first started in 2023 and brings together ten local smallholder farmers to cultivate and master processing for the rare, Chiroso coffee varietal. Nestled in the Penderisco River valley at 1,800 meters above sea level, Urrao is a region with deep agricultural roots, where coffee is more than just a crop—it’s a way of life.

The processing journey of Chiroso at the San Carlos project begins with selective handpicking and flotation to ensure only ripe, high-quality cherries move forward. A 12-hour aerobic fermentation in cherry is followed by a 36-hour anaerobic fermentation in sealed tanks, enhancing sweetness and structure. After fermentation, the coffee is washed and sun-dried on patios for 12–16 days. Once dried, it rests for 24 hours and undergoes a 30-day stabilization in GrainPro bags, allowing the flavors to fully develop into a clean, vibrant cup with layered notes of Jaffa, Honeydew and vanilla.

The Chiroso varietal is part of the Landrace Bloodline, which some would claims houses the best variatals. It was first discovered in Urrao, so San Carlos aims to honor its origin and highlight the story behind it celebrating the people who were the first producers in the world to grow this variety and pushing the boundaries to unlock its highest potential.