Colombia Manos Juntas - specialty coffee

Manos Juntas Micromill, operated by export partner Banexport, is located near Popayán in Cauca – one of Colombia’s most highly regarded coffee-growing regions. The coffee trees grow at elevations of 1,400–2,000 metres above sea level, where the cooler climate, mountainous terrain and fertile soils allow the cherries to ripen slowly.

The Manos Juntas model is built around collaboration with local producers. Farmers focus on caring for their coffee trees and harvesting ripe cherries, while the micromill team manages the entire processing stage in one central location. This means producers are paid immediately after harvest, while every lot remains fully traceable throughout the process.

Once delivered to the micromill, the freshly harvested cherries are carefully assessed by measuring their Brix and pH levels. They are then placed in sealed tanks for five days of anaerobic fermentation. Each tank is labelled with the producer’s name, ensuring full traceability throughout the process.

After fermentation, the coffee remains inside the whole cherries and is naturally dried on covered raised beds for approximately 30–45 days. This carefully controlled fermentation and slow drying process develops an intense sweetness and a deep flavour profile with notes of cranberry, dark chocolate and ripe grapes.