Peñas blancas
The Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center in Acevedo, Huila, is more than just a coffee facility—it is a transformative social project dedicated to improving the livelihoods of local coffee farmers. Designed to provide equitable access to high-quality coffee processing, Peñas Blancas empowers small-scale producers by offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, technical training, and fair compensation for their work. This initiative is the result of a collective effort to create a sustainable and inclusive coffee industry in the region. Many of the producers who bring their coffee to Peñas Blancas previously faced significant barriers, such as lack of access to modern processing methods, inconsistent quality control, and limited market opportunities. By centralizing processing under expert supervision, the facility ensures that every lot meets the highest specialty standards, helping farmers secure better prices and long-term economic stability.
Nestor Lasso and Jhon Vergara
Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center is led by Nestor Lasso and Jhon Vergara, two visionary coffee producers dedicated to revolutionizing post-harvest processing in Acevedo, Huila. Their goal was to create a centralized hub where small-scale farmers could access world-class processing techniques, ensuring
consistency and quality that meets international specialty coffee standards. Nestor Lasso is a young and innovative coffee producer from Huila who has gained international recognition for his expertise
in experimental processing methods. Jhon Vergara is a highly skilled coffee professional with extensive
experience in farm management and post-harvest processing.
About this coffee
Cupping score: 87.50
Processing station: Peñas Blancas
Producer: Nestor Lasso & Jhon Vergara
Region: Huila
Altitude: 1600 – 1900 MASL
Variety: Caturra
Processing: natural
Variety
Caturra is a natural dwarf mutation of the Bourbon coffee variety, prized for its high yield, excellent cup quality (often with balanced, sweet, and citrusy notes), and compact plant size that facilitates denser planting and easier harvesting, despite its susceptibility to diseases like coffee leaf rust.
Natural processing
Natural coffee processing, also known as dry processing, involves drying the entire coffee cherry with the seed still inside, allowing the fruit’s flavors to be absorbed by the bean before the dried outer layers are removed.
