Variety: Sudan Rume
Process: Inoculated Anaerobic Washed
Drying: After handpick, dried on raised beds until moisture reaches 15-20%; cherries are rested for a week and dried on concrete beds until moisture reaches 10-15%
Producer: Wilton Benitez
Farm: Granja Paraiso 92
Elevation: 1500 MASL
Region: Cauca
Country: Colombia
Notes: Kyoho Grape, Orange Soda, Bubblegum
 
Wilton Benitez is a Colombian coffee producer specialized in experimental processing. His family farm, Granja Paraíso 92, uses innovative farming systems such as terraces, drip irrigation, shading, on a vast and biodiverse piece of land in Cauca. The farm also houses a processing plant, microbiology lab and quality lab, for careful management of conditions to guide decisions throughout the processing stages, resulting in great quality control in their production.
 
​This Sudan Rume exhibits beautifully expressive flavour notes as Kyoho Grape, Orange Soda, and so candy-like that it reminds us of bubblegum, but be rest assured, the aroma is elegant and not overwhelming. I had chosen to feature this coffee for a barista competition, for its powerful characteristics, but also for highlighting our long-time relationship with Wilton, telling his story: Wilton never stops experimenting with new processes and yeast strain cultivation, and studying their impact on coffee quality and flavours. His passion for continuous learning is bound to bring him great success -- yet he generously shares his processes with producers, helping them achieve better quality, hence marketablity of their coffees.​
 
About the variety:
Sudan Rume is an ancient variety originating in South Sudan, known for being exceptionally delicious, but it’s not a popular commercial variety in the past because it is super high maintenance, but yields very small harvests. We consider this the "mother" of many coffees as it is often used to breed new hybrid varieties.