March 10, 2026 · Hannah Brooks

Notes from Huila: buying our first direct-trade lot

In February 2026 Eli and I flew to Neiva and drove south-west to La Plata, in Huila, Colombia, to meet the producers behind a lot we had cupped through our importer in the fall.

The farms

Twelve families, each farming 2 to 6 hectares of Caturra and Castillo between 1,700 and 1,900 meters. They process at home: pulping the same day, fermenting 24 to 36 hours, and drying on covered parabolic beds for two to three weeks.

What we paid

We committed to 50 bags (35 kg each) at a fixed price of $4.10 per pound FOB, about 45% above the local farmgate price at the time, with a two-year commitment at the same volume or more. The importer handles export, shipping and pre-financing.

Why it matters

A small roaster can't change a coffee region. What we can do is be a buyer people can plan around: the same lot, the same price, year after year. That's also why we ask our customers to subscribe; predictable demand on our side makes predictable buying on theirs possible.

The coffee is now on the menu as Colombia Huila La Plata: red grape, caramel and cocoa.