Collective - Juan Pablo Ortega - Colombia

Juan Pablo embodies a promising new generation of small coffee producers within the Monkaaba network. At just 19 years old, he launched into coffee production, guided by the family heritage. His father, Luis Marino Ortega, a pioneering figure in the field of specialty coffee and producer that we present to you annually, passed on to him his passion for the land and the profession of cultivator.

Juan's childhood was marked by his father's unwavering support, which allowed him to focus on his studies. Currently studying civil engineering, he does not hesitate to return to the family farm every school break. At 14, he sold cows to buy a lot of land and plant his own Bourbon Rose trees.

Juan envisions a future where sustainable practices will transform their agriculture. He sees specialty coffee as a real opportunity for financial independence and hopes that his studies will allow him to develop the family business. Its journey is also supported by initiatives like Monkaaba, which promote a conscious and sustainable coffee culture.

Grown at an altitude of 1820 meters, the cherries are harvested every 21 days and left to ferment in sealed bags for 14 days. Then, they are pulped in a tiled vat for a dry fermentation of 40 hours. The beans are then rinsed and drained before being transported to San Agustin, where they are dried in the Ortega home for 18 to 20 days.