Penas Blancas
Roasted by The Maillard Project in Brisbane City, QLD
Tasting notes
Floral. Strawberry jam. Purple grape
In the roaster's own words.
- Origin
- Colombia · Acevedo, HuilaPeñas Blancas Coffee Producing Center
- Roast
- Medium light · Espresso or filter
- Process
- Experimental
- Caffeine
- Regular
- Varietals
- Geisha
- Altitude
- 1750 masl
What The Maillard Project say
From the highlands of Acevedo, Huila, this Washed Geisha showcases the elegance and precision of Colombian coffee craftsmanship. Grown at 1,750 masl in a temperate climate (17–24°C), this Geisha varietal flourishes under ideal conditions, resulting in a cup known for its refined and layered complexity.Harvested only from the healthiest trees with lush foliage, cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness, boasting a Brix level between 22–26°. They undergo a meticulous floating and washing process that includes a 5% alcohol rinse, ensuring exceptional cleanliness and clarity.
The processing journey continues with a unique multi-phase fermentation. First, cherries are oxidised in open plastic bags at room temperature for 12 hours, then rinsed to remove floaters. Next, they are submerged in 200-liter drums for 24 hours, with “mosto” (a culture from previous fermentations) added to enrich the microbial activity and enhance flavour development.After this, the cherries are de-pulped and placed into sealed plastic bags for a 60-hour anaerobic fermentation. To preserve the volatile aromatics developed during this phase, fermentation is halted using a thermal shock: the cherries are heated to 50°C for 30 minutes, then quickly cooled.
Drying is executed with exceptional precision using a hermetically sealed stainless-steel dehumidifier. Known as Pristine Precision Drying, this process takes 36–40 hours, followed by a two-week stabilisation period to ensure consistency and flavour integrity.This coffee is produced at the Peñas Blancas Coffee Producing Center, led by visionary farmers Nestor Lasso and Jhoan Vergara. Beyond crafting exceptional lots, the centre empowers local smallholders through sustainable practices, education, and access to global markets—uplifting the wider Acevedo community one harvest at a time.
Quoted from their product page.





