Colombia, Jardines del Encanto, Maragesha Competition lot

- This coffee comes from the Jardines del Encanto-finca in Huila (Colombia). The farm sits in the Andes at around 2,050 meters elevation.
- Ownership: the farm is managed by the Arcila family through the Cofinet cooperative. Felipe Arcila is a co-founder of Cofinet and a fourth-generation coffee farmer.
- The Maragesha variety is rare; only a few Colombian farms worldwide still export this type.
- Discovery: Maragesha was identified in 2017 at Finca Villa Betulia (Huila) by Luis Anibal Calderon. The seeds were planted on that farm in 2020.
- The fertile volcanic soils and cool mountain air of Jardines del Encanto promote slow ripening and concentration of flavor compounds.

- This lot is labeled as a filter or light roast. The roasting is aimed at preserving the bean's delicate flavors and high acidity.
- Five Ways roasts the coffee weekly to order, so fresh beans reach the customer within a week.
- With filter roasting the clarity and fruitiness of the bean are well preserved. The roaster strives for a balanced relationship between brightness (acidity) and sweetness.
- The filter roast (for Aeropress or V60, for example) yields a light body with pronounced origin aromas. A short development time during roasting maximizes the fruity notes.
- Because this is a delicate, naturally fermented coffee, a dark roast has been avoided. The aim is to let the complexity of flavor evolve as the cup cools.

The flavor is noticeably sweet and aromatic, tasting of chocolate cake, lavender and vanilla, with notes of raisins and caramelized pear.
There are also fresh, fruity accents, with red (grape, guava) and tropical fruit flavors often appearing.
When served hot, berry aromas dominate, described as a 'berry bomb' of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.
As it cools, floral and citrus-like notes emerge, such as orange blossom and lemongrass, sometimes with hints of bergamot and jasmine.
Also noted is a riper fruitiness (peach liqueur) and dark chocolate accords as an aftertaste, this combination of fruit, floral qualities and sweetness provides a very complex coffee experience.

This coffee is dried natural processed, the coffee beans are not washed; the fruit was fermented and dried together with the bean.
Process, Cofinet uses the EF2 Natural protocol, this means a two-phase fermentation, first 24 hours exposed to air (aerobic fermentation), then about 50 hours anaerobically in sealed GrainPro bags.
After fermentation the cherries are dried for 180 hours on raised beds in a climate-controlled room (12–28°C), this slow drying prevents mold and preserves the complexity.
The cherries were hand-harvested and selected, defective or unripe cherries were omitted during manual sorting.
Through this careful processing (EF2 Natural) the coffee develops unique flavor layers, the process maximizes the acidity and the fruity aromas of the Maragesha variety.

The beans are of the rare Maragesha variety: a natural cross between the famous Gesha and Maragogype.
This hybrid combines Gesha's floral, delicate complexity with the large bean size and sweet aroma of Maragogype. Maragogype itself is a mutation of Typica and is known for its large bean and low yield.
Discoverer: Maragesha was accidentally discovered in 2017 by Luis Anibal Calderon on his Villa Betulia farm in Colombia. Since then only three Colombian farms that export have been cultivating this variety.
Cup quality: the cross delivers a very high cupping score. This particular lot scored above 90 points, which places Maragesha among the top offerings in specialty coffee.
The combination of the two parent plants makes the flavor very unique: it matures like a distinctive heirloom variety with high potential for complex aromas.

Five Ways Coffee Roasters works transparently and directly with coffee farmers. They guarantee traceability from the coffee bean to the cup, without intermediaries.
Through direct trade, producers (such as Cofinet/Finca Jardines del Encanto) receive a fair price and long-term collaboration. This promotes sustainable development on the farm.
Packaging and logistics are climate-friendly: innovative, sustainable packaging materials and low-CO₂ transport methods are used. Five Ways consciously focuses on reducing its ecological footprint.
Both the coffee and the packaging are designed for low environmental impact, according to the policy of Five Ways Coffee Roasters. The company explicitly states "climate-friendly shipping" and continuously seeks new sustainable solutions.
Consumers receive additional information at purchase about climate-friendly storage and reuse; the beans are recommended to be stored in reusable, airtight containers.

This filter roast performs best with brewing methods such as Aeropress, Hario V60, or a French press. Espresso is less suitable due to the light roast.
Grind size: medium-fine for filter. Use about 18–20 grams of ground coffee per 250 ml of water (approximately 1:14–1:15).
Water temperature: around 92–94°C (for example 93°C as in a sample recipe). The idea is to be warm enough to release aromas without causing bitterness.
Pouring instructions: divide the water into 2–3 pours during brewing (for example 60 ml first, then 100 ml, then the remainder). This yields a total contact time of about 2 minutes for a balanced extraction.
Cooling: allow the coffee to cool slightly after brewing; the flavors will continue to unfold. A longer contact (up to ~2 minutes) adds extra sweetness, while a shorter extraction can bring out fresher acidity.

This lot has been promoted as a special "competition lot" for barista competitions. It refers to the high quality required for competitive use.
The Maragesha variety was used by top baristas at world championships. For example, a New Zealand champion finished fourth at the World Barista Championship 2024 with a Maragesha espresso.
In the United States this bean variety was entered in the national Brewers Cup competition. An American coffeehouse reported participating with this coffee in 2024.
Cupping score: the coffee regularly achieves scores above 90 points at tastings. This attests to an exceptional flavor balance.
Friends in the coffee world describe the flavor as "Berry Bomb" and "super sweet", with several roasters acknowledging that the variety is "ideal for competitions".

The product is offered in matte-black, resealable 200g and 1kg bags. These bags are airtight and fitted with a one-way valve to preserve freshness.
The label is clean and minimalist. Clearly stated: country, region, altitude, variety, processing method and tasting notes. This emphasizes origin and the premium character.
Materials: Five Ways uses recyclable or compostable packaging materials in line with its sustainability policy. The bags fall under the company's "climate-friendly" label.
Design style: the styling is clean and modern, with white text on a black background. Accent colors, such as the purple of the Maragesha logo, indicate the special character.
The packaging also includes storage tips ("store airtight at room temperature") and refers to online information about sustainable packaging. There are no romantic pictures, the focus is on transparency and information.

Five Ways Coffee Roasters offers this coffee online: 200g costs €27 (incl. VAT). A business purchase of 1 kg is possible for €135 (for example 5×200g).
Internationally some specialist roasters sell Maragesha. In the US roasters charged around $45 per 100–250g. For example, B&W Coffee asked $30 for 100g and Dune Coffee $46.
In Europe processors apply similar prices (Nomad €42.50 for 250g). The higher price reflects rarity and quality.
Availability: it is a limited lot (micro-lot). When a batch is sold out, it often takes some time before the next lot becomes available. It is not a coffee that appears in supermarkets.
Sales channels: mainly specialty coffee shops and espresso bars. In addition, the bean can be ordered via importers such as Coffeenatics or Honest Origins. At Five Ways it can also be picked up in the shop in Amsterdam while stocks last.