Colombia – Los Patios

Colombia Los Patios comes from the La Plata area in Huila, a well-known coffee department in the southwest of Colombia. What is special is that “Los Patios” is not a single finca, but a central processing station that collaborates with multiple smallholder farmers in the region. These farmers grow coffee at elevations of about 1,600–1,900 meters, with farms averaging 3 hectares. Los Patios was founded in June 2022 by The Coffee Quest as an innovation hub in the coffee chain. Instead of cultivating the cherries itself, the station buys depulped coffee cherries from local producers to carry out further processing. The producer (and processor) of this lot is therefore officially The Coffee Quest R&D team itself, which in doing so elevates traditional Castillo coffee to a higher level.

Back to Black intentionally roasted this coffee light to light-medium to highlight its delicate flavors. Castillo coffee generally shines with a light roast that accentuates fruity notes. For this microlot, the roaster offered a choice between a filter roast or a slightly darker espresso roast, tailored to the preferred brewing method. The filter-roasted variant delivers a bright, lively cup with high fruitiness, while the espresso roast offers a bit more body and balance for use in espresso machines. Thanks to the light roast, the original aromas remain intact and the distinctly ‘candy-like’ character of this special bean really comes through.

In the cup, this coffee treats you to an explosion of sweet fruit tones. The official tasting notes mention strawberry, white chocolate, and custard, imagine ripe red fruits with a creamy, dessert-like accent. Other notes such as raspberry, vanilla, and marshmallow are also perceived by some, underscoring how complex and layered the flavor is. The aromas are distinctly candy-like, very confectionary, juicy, and fruity. It is no coincidence that there are so many red-fruit flavors, this is thanks to the special Scarlet fermentation process designed to bring a hefty dose of red fruit into the profile. The mouthfeel is smooth and almost creamy-sweet, while still offering enough fresh hints of fruit acidity to keep the coffee lively all the way through the finish.

Los Patios uses an innovative processing method called “Scarlet”, a form of co-fermentation based on honey processing. This unfolds in several steps:

1. Local farmers first let the freshly harvested coffee cherries ferment aerobically for about 12 hours in their fruit pulp (in-cherry) on the farm.
2. Next, the cherries are depulped (honey process: sticky mucilage remains partly on the bean) and the wet parchment goes to Los Patios. There, the R&D team adds a concentrated red-fruit extract and its own yeast solution to the beans.
3. The beans then undergo an additional co-fermentation in tanks; this fermentation and absorption phase lasts around 2 days. During this period, the beans absorb flavor precursors from the red-fruit mixture.
4. After fermentation, the beans are taken out of the tanks and laid out to dry. Drying takes place at Los Patios for approximately 12–16 days, with the beans being turned and monitored continuously to ensure even drying.

This “Scarlet” process developed by The Coffee Quest itself (a combination of honey processing and red-fruit co-fermentation) is aimed at amplifying fruity flavors in the coffee. It is a labor-intensive and experimental method that clearly pays off in the form of this lot’s unique flavor profile.

The coffee is 100% Arabica, specifically the Castillo variety. Castillo is a cultivar developed in Colombia for resistance to coffee leaf rust and high productivity. This variety (named after agronomist Jaime Castillo) is a cross known for its smooth flavor, aroma, and mild citrus acidity. Although some consider Castillo slightly less complex than older varieties, this Los Patios coffee shows that with innovative processing, Castillo beans can deliver tremendous depth and fruitiness. Because Castillo naturally has a balanced profile, it lends itself well to light roasts that bring the fine flavors to the fore. In this case, that potential has been fully realized, the combination of the robust Castillo foundation with Scarlet fermentation yields an exceptionally rich and intriguing cup.

With this coffee, sustainability and ethics are primarily about collaboration and transparency. Los Patios works directly with smallholder farmers in Huila, which supports local communities, the average farmer has only ~3 hectares of land. By working together through the processing station, these producers gain access to the specialty market and can receive a higher price for their coffee cherries. In addition, the added value, the distinctive fermentation, is created in the country of origin, so a larger share of the income stays at the source. The honey process also requires less water than fully washed processing, an environmentally friendly bonus. Back to Black communicates openly about the origin (farm, variety, process) of their coffee, which indicates traceability and fair purchasing. Los Patios itself serves as an example of innovation in the chain and engagement with the entire coffee chain, from farmer to roaster. Although this lot does not carry an official Fairtrade seal, the model of direct collaboration and quality payment contributes to more sustainable, fairer coffee production.

This coffee can be brewed in various ways, though it shows best as filter coffee. A few preparation recommendations:

• Espresso: use approx. 18–19 grams of finely ground coffee for a double espresso of ~38–42 ml, with a total time around 28 seconds. This method yields an intense, syrupy shot in which strawberry and chocolate notes stand out.
• Filter: use about 6.5 grams of coarsely ground coffee per 100 ml of water (about a 1:15 ratio). Prefer brewing with a drip filter (e.g., V60 or Chemex) and a brew time of 2½–3½ minutes. This produces an elegant cup in which the fruity and sweet nuances come through clearly.
• Recommended methods: pour-over methods such as V60, Chemex, Clever Dripper, and a cafetière or AeroPress also work excellently for this filter profile. Experiment with different techniques to discover new facets of the flavor.

In general, an espresso with this coffee is powerful and even delicious with steamed milk, but those who want to taste the subtle fruit notes unblended should drink it as black filter coffee. With slow coffee methods, the light, almost tea-like fruit nuances shine beautifully.

Colombia Los Patios (Scarlet) has not won specific awards, but it does score highly in cupping evaluations. This microlot has been rated by professionals at ~88 out of 100 points, an indicator of excellent quality, well above the specialty threshold of 80. Consumers like it too, on an online coffee platform it received a perfect 5.0/5 star rating. International coffee experts especially praise the unique depth of flavor and the innovative process. A comparable Los Patios “Scarlet” was even named a specialty café’s favorite of the year. Several leading roasters worldwide have purchased this lot and offered it as a limited edition, further confirming its reputation among coffee lovers. All in all, this coffee is regarded as a true standout at cuppings and tastings, thanks to its unparalleled profile.

Back to Black packages this coffee in a sturdy, dark, high-quality coffee bag. The beans are available in two sizes, a 250 gram bag for home use and a 1 kg bag for larger needs. The packaging features a one-way valve and a resealable strip, so the coffee can degas after roasting yet remain fresh without oxygen entering. The bag’s design is clean and functional, typically a matte black pouch with the Back to Black logo and a clear label. This label lists all the important details, from origin and variety to processing method and tasting notes. The packaging protects the contents from light, air and moisture, which is essential for preserving fresh aromas. Back to Black advises customers to store their beans in a dark, cool and dry place for optimal shelf life, and the supplied packaging facilitates this. The overall presentation is professional and attractive, with a minimalist style that reflects the high-quality contents.

Colombia – Los Patios (Scarlet) was available at Back to Black as a seasonal microlot and is now limited or sold out. The coffee was offered via the webshop and in Back to Black cafés in two weights. The price for 250 grams was €21.00, while a 1 kg bag was €75.00. Converted, that is about €84 per kilo in the small package, an indication of the exclusivity and the labor-intensive process. Despite the high price, demand was strong and this lot sold out quickly. Specialty coffee drinkers are willing to pay a bit more for such a unique flavor experience and limited release. If you still want to get these beans, it is worth checking whether Back to Black or The Coffee Quest will offer a comparable Los Patios lot in the future. This type of coffee is often “op = op”, each harvest year only a small quantity is available, which is part of the charm and scarcity of such special coffee beans.