Maximizing the potential of an origin is always a priority for us, and we’re constantly looking for new ways to innovate and expand our coffee selection. In Colombia, this means building strong relationships with private producer groups, cooperatives, and exporters. With a buyer on the ground, we focus on fostering connections that grow into long-term partnerships.
This year, we’re excited to partner for the first time with Kawa Comercio Sostenible SAS BIC. Kawa is a Colombian trading company, founded in 2014, that specializes in exporting high-quality coffee. They are a family-run operation, managed by the Gomez family. Their approach centers on building direct, transparent relationships with local producers, helping to ensure access to exceptional coffee while delivering real value back to farmers. Recognized as a BIC (Benefit and Collective Interest) company, Kawa is dedicated to creating positive social and economic impact.
Kawa works with 35 coffee growers' associations and over 200 independent producers in regions like Huila, Cauca, Tolima, Santander, Quindío, and Risaralda. They’re based in Pitalito, southern Huila—a key region for coffee production in Colombia, responsible for 18% of the country’s total output. Huila’s diverse geography is perfect for growing a wide range of coffee varieties, from Castillo and Caturra to more exotic ones like Pacamara and Geisha.
Huila is already one of our core sourcing regions, thanks to its incredible diversity of flavor profiles and distinct coffees. Along with Nariño, it’s one of the most exciting areas for finding high-quality and unique coffees in Colombia. With Kawa, we’re aiming to explore new projects and take advantage of the immense potential the region offers.
What we’ve sourced this year: La Soledad by Mario Gomez
One of our first projects with Kawa is something completely new for us in Colombia: a single farm producing multiple processing methods and varieties. We’ve sourced a few lots from La Soledad, a farm owned and operated by the Gomez family (specifically by Mario Gomez)—so check out our offer list for this name!
Mario has the ability to separate microlots based on the varieties he grows, via selective picking. He can then choose how to process these lots, giving us access to unique honeys, washed, and naturals from varieties like Caturrón, Pink Bourbon, Papayo, and Sidra.
These coffees are all high scoring (and delicious), perfect for showcase coffees for the next coffee festival you’re attending. They will arrive in Europe just in time for the event season, as the shipment is now ready for departure and expected to land in our EU warehouse by early March.
If you want to learn a little more about this project, take a look at our latest video where our Colombia-based buyer, Juan Suarez, sums it up perfectly.
Quality & traceability at Kawa
When it comes to partnerships, we prioritise companies that share our core values: quality, transparency, and impact. Kawa’s commitment to transparency stands out. They work with producers, clients, and their own team to ensure full traceability and open communication across the supply chain. Every lot is traceable back to the producer, farm, or association, giving farmers the recognition they deserve when the coffee reaches its final destination.
In terms of quality, Kawa has a robust system in place:
- At the farm: They provide technical support to farmers, helping optimize processes like cultivation, picking, processing, drying, and storage to ensure consistent quality.
- Sourcing: Samples are carefully collected and cupped at multiple stages to ensure consistency and stability, all following SCA protocols and overseen by a certified Q Arabica Grader.
- Milling: Coffees are tested before and after milling to check for any changes in profile.
- Pre-shipping: Every lot is cupped again before shipping to guarantee it meets quality standards.
Kawa has also developed a detailed database from their sample analyses over the years. This allows them to map the coffee profiles of the regions they work with, providing insights into quality and availability throughout the year.
Plus, with our own skilled buyer and cupper based in Bogotá, we implement strict physical quality control measures in our lab—particularly because Colombian coffee is prone to ageing quickly. We enforce strict standards for water activity and moisture content to ensure extended shelf life. Our moisture levels stay below 11.5, lower than the industry average of 12.5.
We’re excited to share these new coffees with you, so keep an eye on our offer list for upcoming lots!
