Colombia - Catatumbo

Single Origin Specialty Grade Coffee

Country: Colombia
Region: Catatumbo, Norte de Santander
Producer: Cooperativa de Caficultores del Catatumbo
Variety: Castillo
Process: Washed
Elevation:  1300 MASL 

Tasting notes: Herbal, Rich Fudge, Caramel, Chocolate, Grapefruit.

About the Catatumbo Coffee Growers Cooperative:

Foundation and Early Challenges: Founded in 1980 in Convención, the cooperative aimed to address issues with unfair coffee pricing by private merchants, ensuring fair prices and timely payments for growers in the region.

Expansion and Services: Initially serving Convención, San Calixto, and Teorama, the cooperative expanded its services to include more municipalities and diversified into providing agricultural supplies like fertilizers and tools from 1983 onwards.

Leadership and Governance: Established with a modest capital and membership fee, the cooperative held its first general meeting in 1980, appointing Hernán Prada Mantilla as its first manager. Over the years, leadership changed hands, reflecting ongoing growth and adaptation.

Certifications and Quality Initiatives: Achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2010 and transitioning to ISO 9001:2015 in 2018 demonstrated the cooperative's commitment to quality and continuous improvement in its services.

Diversification and Current Status: In recent years, the cooperative has diversified its membership to include cocoa farmers, expanded its geographical coverage to the entire Norte de Santander Department.