Bolivia: La Linda

Coffee farming in Bolivia has always been a delicate balance of nature, tradition, and resilience. Over the past decade, however, that balance has been tested. Many of the smallholder farms we once worked with have stopped producing coffee altogether, a shift that’s had a profound impact not only on us but also on our long-standing export partners, Agricafe. In response, Agricafe made a bold and visionary move in 2012: they began cultivating their own farms. Their goal was to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality coffee while showcasing what could be achieved through modern, scientific farming methods. This initiative became known as the Buena Vista Project, and as of 2024, it encompasses twelve farms across Bolivia, each one a testament to innovation and dedication.

At the heart of this project lies Finca La Linda, the very first farm established under the Buena Vista umbrella and still one of its most iconic. Nestled in the lush, subtropical region of Caranavi, an area renowned for its fertile soils and high altitudes, La Linda is cradled between two forested mountains, offering a peaceful and biodiverse environment that’s ideal for coffee cultivation. It’s here that Agricafe first put their ideas into practice, experimenting with varietals and processing methods that would go on to shape the future of their entire operation. The lessons learned at La Linda became the foundation for their Sol de la Mañana program, which now supports and educates local producers across the region.

La Linda has been in production for nine years and is home to a diverse range of varietals including Java, Typica, SL28, Bourbon, and Caturra. Caturra, a natural mutation of Bourbon, is particularly well-suited to Bolivia’s high-altitude terrain. Though it’s not the highest-yielding varietal, it rewards careful cultivation with a beautifully balanced cup. In Bolivia’s cooler climate, Caturra matures slowly, developing dense, flavour-rich beans that reflect the unique terroir of the Andes.

This particular lot, a washed Caturra from the 2024 harvest, is a fantastic expression of the farm’s potential. Agricafe’s washed processing is a meticulous, multi-stage operation designed to highlight clarity and terroir. After selective hand-picking, cherries are depulped the same day and fermented in tiled tanks for up to 72 hours. The coffee is then washed, graded by density, and dried slowly on raised beds or patios.

The 2024 harvest was not without its challenges. Following a difficult 2023 marked by drought and a compressed harvest window, Agricafe focused on improving water efficiency and refining their operations at the Buena Vista wet mill. These efforts paid off, resulting in a harvest that’s not only more sustainable but also exceptional in quality.

Dark chocolate and lemon zest slips softly into a sweet caramel aftertaste in this well balanced cup.

• Country: Bolivia
• Department: La Paz
• Region: Caranavi
• Farm: La Linda
• Farm size: 10.53 hectares
• Coffee production area: 3.92 hectares
• Producers: Fincas Los Rodriguez
• Altitude: 1,400–1,450 m.a.s.l.
• Processing Method: Washed
• Varietal: Caturra
• GPS: 15°47'50.0"S 67°32'39.7"W

Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, lemon zest, caramel.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 6.5
• Sweetness: (1–8): 6.5
• Acidity: (1–8): 6
• Mouthfeel: (1–8): 6
• Flavour: (1–8): 6.5
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 6
• Balance: (1–8): 6.5
• Overall: (1–8): 6
• Correction: (+36): +36
• Total: (max. 100): 86

Roasting Information
Medium-dark: this is a classic Bolivian roast - medium dark catching the very first pops of second as it lands in the cooling tray, no more, no less!