La Papaya Washed

Hacienda La Papaya is located in Ecuador’s southern Loja region, where high elevations, cool temperatures, and a dry rainforest climate create ideal conditions for growing specialty coffee. Due to the area’s limited rainfall, the farm uses a precise drip irrigation system that promotes healthy root development and ensures consistent cherry ripening throughout the season. Over the past decade, La Papaya has earned a reputation for innovation and attention to detail, with a strong focus on preserving the genetic integrity of traditional varieties like Typica. They even maintain a dedicated seed garden to propagate clean, true-to-type plant stock for future harvests.

This washed Typica lot is a standout example of that commitment to quality and process. After careful hand harvesting, the cherries are depulped and demucilaged before undergoing a 15-hour fermentation in fresh water—a step that enhances clarity and sweetness in the cup. The coffee is then moved to greenhouse-style drying rooms, where temperature and humidity are closely controlled to ensure slow, even drying over several days. The result is a beautifully clean and balanced cup with a silky mouthfeel and layered complexity. Expect delicate notes of ripe pear, floral oolong tea, and a soft honeyed sweetness that lingers through the finish.