Bolivia: Arcangel

A big hit of vanilla fudge up front, with a luscious and silky body, softens into tinned peaches on the finish of this superbly quaffable cup.

Grown at 1,500 metres above sea level in Bolivia’s renowned Caranavi region, Finca El Arcangel is part of the Agricafe Sol de la Mañana program. This 10-hectare farm is managed with precision and care by the Rodriguez family, who are known for their commitment to quality and sustainability. The farm’s rich biodiversity and volcanic soil create ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation and complex flavour development.

While the farm cultivates both Red and Yellow Caturra, this lot is a single-varietal Red Caturra, grown on 4 hectares and processed with strict varietal separation to preserve micro-lot integrity. It undergoes a Mosto Washed process - a refined variation of the traditional washed method where the coffee is fermented in a solution containing mosto, the sugary juice from depulped cherries. This technique typically enhances sweetness and complexity while preserving the clarity and brightness typical of washed coffees.

El Arcangel employs esqueleto pruning, a regenerative technique that cuts trees back to their structural skeleton to promote vigorous regrowth. Though it requires a 12–18 month recovery, this method enhances airflow, reduces disease risk, and improves long-term yield. By rotating pruning cycles across the farm, they ensure consistent output while maintaining plant health and cup quality.

At the highest point of Finca El Arcangel stands a towering, iconic tree, its namesake and silent sentinel. This majestic presence overlooks the farm like a guardian, anchoring a landscape where coffee trees thrive in harmony with native flora such as citrus, papaya, and avocado. More than just a scenic backdrop, this biodiverse environment supports a balanced ecosystem that enhances cup quality and reflects the farm’s deep connection to its natural surroundings.

• Country: Bolivia
• Region: Yungas
• Municipality: Caranavi
• Town: Copacabana
• Farm: El Arcangel
• Altitude: 1,500 m.a.s.l.
• Farm Owners: Fincas Los Rodriguez
• Varietal: Yellow Caturra
• Processing: Washed

Medium‑dark
Roasted with a calm, steady progression, this coffee is carried cleanly through first crack and developed just far enough to reach the very first pops of second before finishing the roast. That precise cut‑off point allows the sweetness and body to fully develop, while stopping early enough to avoid introducing heavier roast flavours.

This approach leans into the coffee’s naturally fudge‑like sweetness and silky mouthfeel, rounding out the acidity and giving the cup a smooth, comforting character. Hints of vanilla and tinned stone fruit are emphasised, with a soft, creamy finish rather than sharp brightness or smokiness. If you enjoy coffees that are rich, approachable and dessert‑leaning, but still clean and well‑defined, this roast is designed to deliver exactly that balance.

Tasting notes: Fudge, vanilla, tinned peaches.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean Cup: 6/8
• Sweetness: 7/8
• Acidity: 6/8
• Mouthfeel: 7/8
• Flavour: 6.5/8
• Aftertaste: 6/8
• Balance: 6.5/8
• Overall: 6.5/8
• Correction: (+36): +36
• Total: 87.5/100