Colombia Alvaro Galindez

This information is a summary of the information provided by our green bean supplier Semilla regarding Alvaro Galindez and Monkaaba.

Alvaro Galindez: A Farmer's Journey

Alvaro Galindez, a dedicated coffee farmer from La Muralla, Colombia, has a deep-rooted connection to the land. Growing up in a family of coffee growers, he learned the trade from a young age. Despite facing challenges that forced him to move away from his farm and to the city of Bogota, he persevered and returned to La Muralla with renewed determination.

Through hard work and a commitment to quality, he joined the Los Naranjos association, which opened doors to a differentiated market. However, the group's struggles with inconsistent purchasing and limited support led Alvaro to seek new opportunities.

In 2022, he joined the Monkaaba initiative, a project focused on empowering smallholder farmers. With access to resources, training, and a stable market, Alvaro is now able to focus on improving his farming practices and experimenting with new coffee varieties. His dream is to see his name on coffee bags worldwide, a testament to his dedication and the quality of his product.

Monkaaba: Empowering Coffee Growers

Monkaaba is a farmer-led initiative based in San Agustin, Colombia. It aims to empower smallholder coffee growers by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the specialty coffee market.

The project focuses on:

• Market Access: Helping farmers find better-paying markets for their high-quality coffee.
• Skill Development: Investing in the knowledge and skills of coffee producers through training and workshops.
• Transparent Relationships: Fostering open communication between farmers, buyers, and roasters.
• Community Building: Creating a supportive community of coffee growers who share knowledge and experiences.

By working closely with farmers, Monkaaba aims to create a more sustainable and equitable coffee industry.

About San Agustin

San Agustin is a near mythical place for specialty coffee, being not only beautiful but also soaked in history. You can read more about San Agustin on Semilla’s blog.

Pink Bourbon, despite its name, is genetically closer to Ethiopian landraces than to the traditional Bourbon variety. With its distinctive pink cherries, this rare coffee delivers a vibrant, fruit-forward
profile, marked by tropical sweetness and bright acidity.

Tabi is a Colombian coffee variety created by crossing Typica, Bourbon, and Timor Hybrid. This unique combination results in a variety that offers both disease resistance and exceptional cup quality. Known for its bright acidity and sweetness, Tabi often exhibits fruity and floral notes.