Coffee Varietal: Bourbon Aji
Harvest Year: January 2025
Coffee Process: Washed
This lot from José Salazar is a beautiful example of 100% Bourbon Ají, grown high on the rugged mountainsides of Bruselas, Pitalito. José is one of our favourite producers, and through our export partners Caravela, he’s earned a reputation for cultivating some of the region’s most outstanding Bourbon varietals.
We’ve been fortunate to work with José since 2018, selecting his Pink Bourbon and Bourbon Ají every chance we get. This year marks our sixth consecutive season of showcasing his coffees — a testament to the consistency, care, and craft that José puts into every harvest.
The name “Ají” (Spanish for chili pepper) comes from the striking red-pepper aroma released by the ripe cherries, a sensory marker that makes this varietal so distinctive. Year after year, José has impressed on the global stage as a regular Cup of Excellence finalist, cementing his place as one of Colombia’s most talented producers.
For us, this is one of the finest expressions of Bourbon Ají we’ve tasted: an exotic and aromatic cup layered with papaya sweetness, panela richness, and lingering bergamot florals.
