We’re in Colombia for this week’s delivery, with a delicious coffee from Tolima. It’s from Arley Yate Hernández’s farm La Esperanza (‘Hope’) near the town of Rio Blanco.

Arley Yate Hernandez and family at El Esperanza Photo: Caravela

He’s shared some of his story in his own words:

I’m from Tolima, through out the years my parents taught me about coffee farming as it was my family’s main source of income and way of living.

We worked together to sustain our family. I bought my farm, La Esperanza ten years ago. Throughout the time one needs to adapt to the changes and progress, that’s what specialty coffee means to me, to my family.

We needed a better income so we start looking on how to get it with the things we had. Fortunately, we found [Sample’s Colombia coffee partner] Caravela and their prices based on quality of the coffee, right now there’s no other company with higher buying prices and I’m happy my coffees reach the quality grades.

My farm and way of farming is the legacy I’ll leave to my children, just as my parents taught me.

Coffee trees growing on the hills at El Esperanza Photo: Caravela

Arley grows around 7,000 coffee trees on El Esperanza, which is around 1,500 hectares in size. They’re all the Caturra varietal, which is one of the most commonly grown varieties in Colombia.

All the images and information about this coffee and its producers have been kindly shared by the importer, Caravela, and edited by us, Sample Coffee (unless linked to or credited otherwise).

Resting beans inside the sealed bag helps develop peak flavours and acidity

Learn how long and why you should wait in our brewing window recommendations.

Try our step-by-step recipes and videos

Our recipes are easy to follow and designed to bring the best out of our coffee. Find your favourite method on our brew guides collection or test a new one—and if you have any questions, ask us anytime at [email protected].