Zarza bella vista
sidra • advanced washed
Region: Brusselas • Colombia
Score: 89.00
Varieties: sidra
Processing: advanced washed process
peach • caramel • honey • white tea • sweet light citrus • floral
Finca Zarza (broadly operating as Zarza Coffee) is a world-renowned specialty coffee estate spearheaded by brothers Jhonatan and Johan Gasca.Located in the Bruselas district of Pitalito (within Colombia's famous Huila region), the estate sits at the absolute epicenter of high-end Colombian coffee production.🌳 Origin & The "Zarza" Concept
- Family Roots: The name Zarza (Spanish for bramble or blackberry bush) serves as a direct analogy for the Gasca family tree. Just as brambles intertwine to support one another and grow stronger, the project reflects the unity of these 3rd and 4th generation coffee producers. The foundation was originally laid by their ancestors, Lorenzo Gasca and Florencia Parra.
- A Network of Farms: Today, the Zarza Coffee project encompasses roughly 6 hectares of land situated at high altitudes (between 1,550 and 1,850 meters above sea level). It spans a network of distinct plots, including:La María: Where the family's agricultural journey originally began.Bella Vista: Highly celebrated for its pristine Pacamara lots.Santa Ana: Extensively utilized for advanced thermal shock processing on Pink Bourbon.La Esmeralda.
🔬 Production Profile & Acclaimed VarietiesFinca Zarza maximizes the unique volcanic terroir of Bruselas by pairing it with meticulous post-harvest bio-processes. They focus heavily on rare and exotic micro-lots:
- The Papayo (Natural): A signature lot of the farm known for its striking complexity, offering a velvety, syrupy body with tasting notes of red apple, maraschino cherry, and vanilla.
- Bourbon Ají: An extremely rare, savory-sweet variety reminiscent of chili pepper and red fruits, successfully preserved and propagated by the brothers.
- Wush Wush & Gesha: Exceptionally floral and tropical varieties subjected to extended anaerobic fermentations.
🐝 The Beekeeping Project (Zarza Project)A definitive trait of Finca Zarza is its integration of apiculture directly into the coffee fields. By managing their own beehives, the Gasca brothers foster biodiversity. The bees actively promote cross-pollination, which has been shown to raise the sugar concentration of the coffee cherries (often reaching 22 to 26° Brix before harvesting). This high sugar content directly yields a richer, sweeter, and more complex cup profile.
Jonathan Gasca (often spelled Jhonatan) is a renowned Colombian specialty coffee producer and the head of Finca Zarza, a family-owned estate located in Bruselas, Pitalito (Huila region). As a third-generation coffee farmer, he has transformed his family's traditional plantation into a world-class hub for innovative post-harvest processing.Key Highlights of Finca Zarza
- Processing Innovation: Alongside his brother Johan, Jonathan designs highly advanced fermentation protocols. His coffees undergo complex methods such as double anaerobic fermentation, thermal shock washes, and extended fermentations using recirculated fermentation juices (mosto).
- Exotic Varieties: The estate cultivates rare, high-end varieties including Gesha, Pacamara, Wush Wush, and Bourbon Ají. The latter was successfully replanted after the farm recovered from losing 40% of its Pink Bourbon trees.
- Sustainability & Apiculture: Through the overarching Zarza Project, Jonathan integrates beekeeping into the estate. The bees enhance local pollination while promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Global RecognitionJonathan Gasca's coffees have become a staple on the international barista competition circuit. Notably, his micro-lots were used by Australian competitor Jack Simpson to secure 2nd place at the 2024 World Barista Championship (WBC). Today, Finca Zarza lots are highly sought after by specialty roasters worldwide.
225 grams • whole bean coffee
Roasted only for FILTER
