Coffee Story
Stiven is one of six brothers and sisters of the newest generation of coffee growers in the Hoyos-Alvarado family. The Balceros farm is situated at an elevation of 1,850 meters above sea level, in the town of Nazareth, San Agustin. The town is quaint, with lush green forests surrounding it year-round, and is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage site for having the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian megalithic sculptures in South America.
His father, Don Rodrigo, has proudly upheld this family tradition. Stiven recalls earning just three pesos a day as a young labourer—not much today—but for him, it was never about the money. His dream was to run a farm with his children.
Although he initially aimed for university, a setback with his entrance exam led him back to the farm. His father recognized his potential and entrusted him with a small section to manage. Stiven planted 800 Red Caturra trees, and the pride he felt from his increasing yield shifted his perspective: “Before, I thought I needed to leave. Now I know—my place is here, growing coffee with my family.” Now, as one of the youngest members of Monkaaba, a collective of farmers under 35, Stiven sees specialty coffee not just as a market but as a bridge.
This particular lot from Stiven is a blend of Caturra and Pink Bourbon, boasting a classic Colombian cup profile with high acidity, tropical fruits, hints of florals, and a savoury finish. As a medium roast, Stiven’s coffee makes for a very sweet cup with a lively brightness that’s quite refreshing. Raw sugar flavours, accentuated by fruited notes of red grape, plum and ripe oranges, appear at the front of the cup. As the coffee cooled, a more pronounced honey-sweetened orange pekoe tea emerged, providing a pleasant contrast that balanced some of the earlier tartness.
