Our Story: A Passion for Unique Coffees
Altos Coffee was created by a group of passionate coffee growers and professionals led by Arnaud Causse, a French agronomist who has been living in Latin America for decades, working on different coffee projects in Central and South America. Initially focusing on two unique projects, Las Tolas Estate and Terrazas del Pisque, the ultimate goal of Altos Coffee is to offer a range of specialty coffees spanning the diversity of microclimates that Ecuador has to offer.
With an altitude of around 1,7000 meters above sea level, the Las Tolas Estate is located in the Andean Choco rainforest, one of the 7 biodiversity hotspots on the planet, and close to the Tulipe archeological site, center of the preinca Yumbo culture. The estate has a unique range of varieties from Caturra to Pacamara and modest amounts of Java and Bourbon, and a special microclimate combining 2.500mm of annual rainfall with optimal light year round. All shade grown, its coffees are bright in acidity with rich body and complex floral aromas.
Located a few miles away from the capital city of Quito, Terrazas del Pisque is probably one of the few projects in the world at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level and with a completely different climate (annual rainfall of less than 500mm). Three snow capped volcanoes can be spotted from the farm. Varieties produced here include Typica, Bourbon, Java, Yellow Caturra, Pacamara and Maragogype. First productions will be available as blends and single variety micro lots. Phytosanitary control by own production of essential oils. Pollination by honey bees (coffee honey is available on demand!).
Process: fully washed (wet process) ; several trials on different ways of process (cherries pre-fermentation in cool room seems to make sense in so special conditions). 0 defect preparation (dry process) all over screen 16 (17 for Pacamara and 18 for Maragogype).
Cupping Notes: red berries (blue and raspberries), dark chocolate, citric notes (grapefruit); fair acidity, very good balance.
This, combined with state of the art drip irrigation and a highly experienced production team, promises to offer a truly sensational coffee.