We are excited to offer this special coffee from Gloria Cecilia this year! This coffee is a very special variety called “Chiroso,” which is taking off in Colombia due to its unique flavor characteristics. Chiroso coffees are relatively new, only grown in the last 10 years and becoming popular in the past year– meaning these unique flavors are probably something you haven’t tasted before! We obtained this coffee through our friends at Unblended Coffee, where Gloria is a mentee under experienced farmers to help increase quality and yield.
We recommend using a filter brewing method for this coffee. A V60, Kalita or Chemex brewer will bring out brighter, fruity notes and allow the complex flavors to evolve on your palate. Using an Aeropress is also a solid way to have a consistent experience with this coffee. French Presses and other immersion brewers will highlight more spice and herb flavors of this coffee.
The following coffee benchmarks have been collected with the help of our importing partners and farmers. Firelight Coffee uses this information to understand and verify the sustainability of each coffee prior to purchase. All information was freely shared by our importing partners and/or the coffee farmer or producer. Sustainability scores were determined by Firelight Coffee based on an evolving set of internal scoring methods and are subject to change. Click to expand each section below the graph for more details.
Organic Farming | |
Is the coffee certified organic? | No |
Has soil analysis been done to determine the optimal fertilizer need? | No |
Is the appropriate amount of fertilizer used on the farm? | Yes |
Has the use of most synthetic fertilizer been reduced on the farm? | Yes |
Has the amount of herbicides, specifically Glyphosat, and pesticides been reduced to no more than once per year? | No – no pesticides are used. |
Is any water treatment done for the water used to process the coffee? | Yes |
Regenerative Farming | |
Does the farm have at least 30 shade trees per hectare? | Yes |
Does the farm have at least 50 shade trees of 3+ types per hectare? | Yes |
Is there adequate soil coverage on the farm to promote soil protection? | Yes |
Has irrigation been limited, only being done on top of covered soil? | Yes |
Has the use of Chloride been limited? | Yes |
Has the use of Chloride been stopped completely? | Yes |
Is there increasing biodiversity in plant and animal life on the farm? Explain | Native plants like orchids, ferns, and bromeliads grow alongside coffee trees, enhancing the natural environment. Gloria’s farm and surrounding farms are also home to a range of wildlife, including the endangered yellow-eared parrot, as well as mammals like the spectacled bear. The biodiversity found on Urrao’s coffee farms not only supports ecological health but also plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem, contributing to sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and coffee production. |
Is there succession based biomass present on the farm (e.g. grass cover crops, pioneer trees, climax trees)? | Yes, succession-based biomass is present on many coffee farms in Urrao, Colombia. The region’s farms often employ agroforestry and sustainable farming practices that incorporate different stages of ecological succession to promote biodiversity and soil health. This includes: Grass cover crops: These are often used between coffee plants to improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and provide organic matter. Cover crops like legumes also fix nitrogen, enriching the soil. Pioneer trees: Fast-growing trees like Inga or Erythrina species are common in Urrao’s coffee farms. These pioneer species are planted alongside coffee to provide shade, improve soil structure, and enhance nutrient cycling. They play a crucial role in early successional stages by creating a hospitable environment for other species. Climax trees: In more mature or well-established coffee agroforestry systems, climax trees such as Cedrela or Mahogany can be present. These trees provide long-term shade, habitat for wildlife, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a vital role in the farm’s ecosystem. |
Are all defensive and fertilizing inputs used natural and regenerative? | No |
Is waste properly disposed of on the farm? | Yes, Gloria composts coffee waste to feed chickens, fertilize plants, etc. |
Does the importer have a plan to seek increased environmental efforts at the farm level? | No |
Environmentally Conscious Transport | |
How far was this coffee transported via container ship? | Approx. 1500 nautical miles |
How far was this coffee transported via land/truck? | 298 miles |
Buying Strategy | |
Is the coffee price set according to the C-Market? | No, farmers are paid fixed prices above C-Market pricing based on quality. |
Does the importer pay producers directly or through a cooperative or other third party? | Directly |
What is the FOB Price? | $8.95 |
Fair Price for Labor | |
Is the FOB price in line with the Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide? | Yes |
Does farmgate (amount paid to the farmer) cover the cost of production? | Yes |
Does farmgate provide a living wage above cost of production? | Yes |
Working Conditions | |
Is the farm fair trade certified? | No |
Do you have an assessment of the risk of child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in your region? | Yes |
Do you have an assessment of the risks of discrimination, workplace violence and harassment, including sexual and gender-based violence in your region? | Yes |
Do you have policies and procedures in place for identifying, mitigating, preventing, monitoring and remediating child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, discrimination and workplace violence and harassment, including sexual and gender-based violence? | Yes |
Philanthropy | |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to increase gender equity in this growing region? | Yes, in Urrao we mainly work with women producers. |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to increase local education opportunities? | With the group of producers we’re working, we have started running experiments to learn and teach about drying techniques, cupping and lot separation. Further, the overall goal at Unblended Coffee is centered around education for young farmers. |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to alleviate extreme poverty in the region? | No |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to increase access to sustainable energy? | No |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to build, maintain, or increase access to local infrastructure? | No |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to increase access to clean water and/or nutritious food? | No |
Does the importer have a plan to partner with the producer to support the local economy through job creation &/or infrastructure maintenance? | Yes, the entire purpose of Unblended is to make coffee farming an exciting, viable and profitable career path. We are doing that by working through a mentorship model in which we help the producers turn their farms into a business that succeeds in the US Specialty Market. |
From our exporting partner, Unblended Coffee:
Doña Gloria’s motivation lies in enjoying a good cup of coffee and using it as a means to educate her children. Her commitment to each coffee bean is reflected in its spiced notes of basil and black pepper, complemented by the sweetness of caramel and chocolate. These flavors engage our senses and leave us wanting more, mirroring the aromatic complexity akin to her role as a coffee farmer.
Gloria grew up loving coffee, and that passion has stuck with her since she was a kid. While taking care of her family and house, she’s been great at raising her kids. One big dream she has is to keep the family tradition alive by making coffee in a special way. Carmen, who’s been a successful coffee producer since 2014, is helping Gloria learn and improve her methods. Gloria really wants to show everyone the hard work that goes into making each coffee bean, aiming to give coffee lovers a unique and tasty experience.