Bolivia La Llama Single Origin Coffee Beans | Washed Process

Bolivia has an interesting coffee history and although it was exporting close to 85,000 bags in the early 2000s, Bolivian coffees almost disappeared at the end of the last decade. In 2018, only 23,300 bags were exported. A tiny portion of these were sold as Specialty grade.

The reasons for this are multiple but the main one was the coffee rust that hit the coffee regions very hard and decimated many farms. After that big loss, and after the decision of the government to allow the production of coca in some districts of Bolivia, many producers decided to start growing coca leaves (the base ingredient in the preparation of cocaine) instead of coffee. Coca is a lot more profitable than coffee per hectare and you can harvest it about 5 times a year which gives income to the producers and their family throughout the year.

A lot of the coffee in the country has been traditionally grown under organic conditions. However, the lack of knowledge and training led to farms that look more like forests, with coffee trees that carry very few leaves and even less cherries. Many of the producers think that organic farming means not to do anything in your parcel than harvesting. That also contributed to the big drop in production.

It’s therefore very difficult to find Specialty coffees from Bolivia these days.

The name “La Llama” pays homage to Bolivia’s most iconic animal, the llama. These hump-less cousins of the camel have been integral to life in the Andean highlands for centuries, serving as pack animals and symbols of resilience. When the Agricafé team first explored the land, they encountered a llama standing proudly on the terrain. With its pointed ears and watchful expression, it seemed to declare ownership of the land. Inspired by this encounter, the team named the farm La Llama, embracing the creature’s spirited presence as part of the farm’s identity.

 

The farm was already an established coffee plantation, with trees that were 15 years old when it was acquired. Since then, it has become a centerpiece of Agricafé’s operations. It is home to several exceptional coffee varietals, including Geisha, Batian, Ethiosar, SL28, SL34, Orange Caturra, and Java. The farm also supports reforestation efforts, with trees such as Tajibos, Mara, and Ceibo planted to enhance the environment and preserve the ecosystem.

Where: Villa Rosario

 

Owner: Los Rodriguez

 

Variety: Caturra

 

Altitude: 1650 MASL

 

Preparation: Washed

 

SCA Cup Score: 86

 

Roast: Light

 

Drink it: We prefer this as a filter coffee, but our roast is suitable for use in all coffee makers. Try pairing this coffee with savoury dishes!

 

Tasting Notes: Lemon, Apricot, Plum and Orange