2024-10-01 08:58:26
Huila, recognized for its exceptional coffee, also stands out for being the cradle of champions in the coffee industry. This year, names like Sebastián Carvajal, National Cold Brew Champion, and Marlon Arnulfo Rojas, National Cupping Champion, shine, representing the competitive spirit and excellence that characterize Huila coffee growers, propelling this region towards new horizons of innovation and recognition. global.
Diario del Huila, Economy
By: Gloria Camargo
In the department of Huila, Colombia, there is a treasure that has marked the identity and pride of an entire region: its coffee. Known as the “Land of Champions”, Huila not only leads the national coffee production, but also stands out for the exceptional quality of its beans, the result of the hard work and dedication of more than 86,000 coffee-growing families.
This year, Huila has made history not only in the fields of cultivation, supported by figures such as a production of 2,237,400 bags of 60 kg excelso coffee by 2023, concentrated in 148,439 hectares planted in coffee in 35 municipalities, but also in competitions that celebrate coffee excellence.
From the coffee tradition
Sebastián Carvajal from Neiva, who currently holds the title of National Cold Brew Champion organized by Café de Colombia – National Federation of Coffee Growers, personifies the innovation and effort that characterize Huila coffee growers.
Carvajal is currently linked to the world of coffee through the Promise Store, a space that has allowed him to take the art of cold extraction to new heights, experimenting with extended preparation times to create a drink that not only refreshes, but which also celebrates the complexity and flavor of coffee.
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«Cold Brew is more than a drink; “It is an experience that allows consumers to explore coffee in a completely different way,” explains Sebastián. “In a country known for its hot coffee, Cold Brew represents an opportunity to innovate and stand out in an emerging cold beverage market.”
And he added that these spaces, advanced by the FNC institution, are conducive to continuing to open doors and opportunities in the coffee industry. According to Sebastián Carvajal, the work and contribution of many to have achieved first place in the competition cannot be ignored. “This is dedicated, I repeat, to my work team from the Villa Diana farm, the roaster who has transformed the raw material with mastery. I also greatly appreciate my management team at the Promise Store; They are true entrepreneurs who have supported every step of this path. From the dehydrated fruit we use, such as orange, to the pulp and cholupa meticulously selected and pulped, they have contributed with exceptional raw materials,” he pointed out.
Likewise, he adds that “this achievement is not mine alone; It represents the joint effort of an entire production chain, from the fields to the consumer’s table. Sacrificing time with my family has not been easy, but their unconditional support has been essential to be able to fully dedicate myself to this passion and give a worthy representation.”
Finally, with humility and determination, Sebastián envisions a promising future for the coffee industry in Huila, “I hope that this is just the first of many achievements for the department of Huila and for the Huila Coffee Growers Committee. My victory is also a call to all coffee growers and businessmen in the sector to continue innovating and raising quality standards. Together, we can position Huila as an undisputed leader in the production of excellent coffees at a national and international level.”
Commitment with quality seal
Huila’s commitment to the quality of coffee is reflected in the actions of the Huila Coffee Growers Committee, where it stands out, for example, in the “Research + Development project to Enhance the Production of Quality Coffees, Adjusted to the Agroecological Zones of the Department of Huila. With a significant investment of more than 8.77 billion pesos, which focuses on improving agricultural practices and raising quality standards throughout the region.
It should be noted that within the framework of this initiative, more than 1,102 coffee growers are expected to benefit from the initiatives, which not only aim to meet national expectations, but also compete internationally for the exquisiteness and distinctive flavor of Huilense coffee.
Over the course of 2023, the commitment of the Huila Coffee Growers Committee has stood out even more in the international arena. Prominent international clients have made visits to the coffee region with the purpose of evaluating the yield of the harvest and the quality of the grain. These interactions have been instrumental in establishing meaningful relationships with local producers, who play a crucial role in every stage of coffee delivery. From companies like Ishimitsu in Japan to Café Hounter in the United States, these visits have not only strengthened business ties, but have also highlighted Huila’s reputation and commitment to coffee excellence.
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The various initiatives and projects promoted by the Huila Coffee Growers Committee have contributed to strengthening the department’s position as an undisputed leader in the production of high-quality coffees. Prominent clients such as Mitsubishi in Japan and Firts Watch in the United States have recognized and valued not only the quality of Huilense grain, but also the passion and effort of local producers. These international relationships not only open doors for the export of Huila coffee to demanding markets, but also highlight Huila’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and the preservation of the coffee tradition.
The pride of representing a country
In addition to the success of Sebastián Carvajal, Huila celebrates Marlon Arnulfo Rojas, the National Cupping Champion and proud representative of Pitalito. With a history rooted in the world of coffee since his childhood, Marlon has perfected his ability to identify the unique notes and nuances of each bean. His company, La Reserva Coffee, in Pitalito, has become a bastion of specialty coffees, exporting not only quality products but also the history and passion of an entire region.
“Being recognized as the best coffee taster in Colombia is an honor that I assume with great responsibility,” says Marlon. Who highlighted that going forward “my goal now is to take the best of our coffee to the world competition in Geneva, Switzerland, and demonstrate to the world why Huila produces some of the most exceptional coffees on the planet.”
The history of Huilense coffee is more than a list of individual achievements; It is a testament to perseverance, innovation and love for the land. Each cup of coffee served represents the hard work of thousands of hands that care for and cultivate the fields with dedication and respect for tradition.
For this reason, Arnulfo Rojas indicated that “Colombia is coffee, passion and the desire to move forward. It is a wonderful world in which we must all be involved,” adding at the time of being crowned champion that he received this recognition for his work and effort with great emotion.
And he invited more young people to be part of this world, “it is a pride to represent Colombia, it is a great achievement for me and for those around me who have been on the path of the world of coffee. But I also hope that young people are encouraged and hopefully continue in coffee growing and realize that the world of coffee is very beautiful.
We as tasters have realized that Colombian coffee has some of the best qualities in the world, so I am happy to be able to taste the coffees here with different facets and roasts, and know that Colombian coffee is one of the best. coffees of the world.”
In addition, he highlighted that Huila’s success in the coffee sector would not be possible without the constant support of the union’s companies, which recognize the economic and cultural value of coffee.