FIELD NOTES: Issue 01 – April 2026
New Crop Arrival From Colombia
The first shipments of the new Colombian harvest have recently begun arriving in the UK. For many roasters, this marks the beginning of a new coffee season, as coffees from the most recent harvest gradually replace the previous crop.
This year we have once again purchased coffee from Esnayder Cuartas at Finca Las Cruces, a farm we have worked with for the past five years. The farm sits near the town of Quinchía in Risaralda, part of Colombia’s traditional coffee growing region known as the Zona Cafetera.
Coffee farms in this area are typically located between 1,600 and 2,000 metres above sea level. At these elevations, cooler temperatures slow the ripening of the coffee cherry, which can contribute to greater sweetness and clarity in the cup.
The main harvest in this region generally takes place between October and February, with a smaller secondary harvest known as the mitaca occurring later in the year.
Once picked, the cherries are pulped and washed before the beans are dried on patios or raised beds. After drying, the coffee remains inside a protective layer known as parchment, which helps stabilise the beans during storage and transport. Shortly before export this layer is removed at the mill, where the coffee is sorted and prepared for shipment.
From harvest to arrival in the UK the journey typically takes several months. The coffee travels first from the farm to a regional mill, then by truck to the port before crossing the Atlantic by container ship.
Our Finca Las Cruces single origin has now arrived at the roastery, with additional Colombian coffees – including a new lot for our blends from Gaitania in Tolima – expected to land in the coming weeks. The lots we have tasted so far from this year’s harvest show good sweetness and balance, which is encouraging for the season ahead.
(Field Notes is a short printed update we include with subscriber deliveries, sharing what we're seeing across the farms and coffee regions we work with.)
