Colombia Diofanor Ruiz Java Washed - Filter Roast

DIOFANOR RUIZ
Diofanor Ruiz was born into a traditional family of coffee farmers and was heavily involved on the farm from a young age. Don Diofanor decided to continue with coffee and became a certified coffee farmer in 2003. In 2005, Diofanor was able to buy his farm, La Divisa. La Divisa is 14 hectares in size and is located at 1950 m.a.s.l in Buenavista, Quindio. He lives at La Divisa with his wife and their young son, who currently studying agroforestry engineering.​

Alongside the coffee trees, Diofanor has planted a range of other trees at La Divisa to improve soil composition, provide shade for the coffee trees and increase the farms' resilience. He has a collection of fruits such as bananas, mandarins, guava, and oranges. Also, Diofanor has planted an array of native trees such as Guamo, Guayacanes, and Tigua to contribute with the agroforestry in his region.​

When talking with Diofanor, he remembers a time when no farmers would taste their own coffee. It wasn’t seen as something important to farmers because of the enormous gap in understanding. ​
It was in 2005 when, after tasting his coffee for the first time, Diofanor decided to move away from traditional farming methods in favour of more quality-focused practices. This decision has had a huge impact on his livelihood and now drives him in all that he does at La Divisa.​

In 2017, Diofanor started working with Cofinet. Diofanor says that thanks to the technical assistance provided by Cofinet, he has been able to make further improvements in the quality of coffee he produces. Diofanor has also adopted some of Cofinets processing protocols with some incredible results. We are honored to be working hand in hand with Diofanor and hope our relationship will continue for many years to come.​

WASHED PROCESS
Diofanor and his team of pickers selectively harvest only the ripest cherries. The cherries are then transported to La Divisa's sorting area, where the team meticulously hand-sorts and float them to eliminate any low-density, underripe, or defective beans.
Once sorted, the cherries undergo a 30-hour underwater fermentation, a critical step that enhances the coffee's flavor profile. This controlled fermentation carried by Diofanor, follows the Cofinet’s protocol, allowing the sugars, organic acids, and other compounds within the cherries to break down gradually, stimulating the development of a sweet and bright profile.
​The 30-hour fermentation period is carefully calibrated to strike the perfect balance between developing flavor complexity and preserving the coffee's inherent qualities. This results in a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity, giving our washed coffees a bright and lively
character.
After fermentation, the cherries are pulped, and the mucilage is thoroughly washed away.
Diofanor recycle the water and reused it for floating subsequent batches of cherries. ​Once coffees are washed they are spread out at the parabolic dryers. Diofanor monitors the coffees closely to ensure even drying and optimal quality.

JAVA
The Java variety traces its origins to Ethiopia, where it emerged as a natural mutation of Typica.
However, genetic fingerprinting using molecular markers has revealed that Java is actually a selection from an Ethiopian landrace population known as Abyssinia. Research conducted in Cameroon has demonstrated Java’s tolerance to various coffee diseases, making it an excellent choice for small-scale farmers seeking resilient and high-quality coffee varieties.
​Java was introduced to Costa Rica in 1991 and later arrived in Colombia in 2008. In 2016, Panama became the first Central American country to officially recognize Java as a distinct variety. This recognition underscores its potential as a valuable alternative to the renowned Gesha variety. While Gesha is celebrated for its exceptional cup quality, Java offers similarly high-quality flavours with added benefits: it is more resilient, exhibits better tolerance to coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), and is less susceptible to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD). These traits make Java a practical and sustainable option for smallholder farmers.
Java is renowned for its unique cup profile, which often features bright acidity, floral notes, and a clean, sweet finish. Its adaptability to diverse growing conditions and its ability to perform well at various altitudes further enhance its appeal among coffee producers.
Diofanor first planted Java at La Divisa in 2022 using seeds Cofinet had shared with him. After carefully nurturing the plants for three years, he harvested his first Java cherries - with phenomenal results. This success cemented his commitment to cultivating Java and other exotic varieties, which he now grows using the most exacting farming standards