In southern Huila, Colombia, lies the bustling agricultural hub of Pitalito, a place where people from Huila, Cauca, and Putumayo converge for better opportunities. Coffee plays a vital role here as one of the region’s most significant crops. It’s also where we meet José Herman Salazar and his family —his wife, Marina Elina Ansasoy, daughter Blanca, and son Johan-at their farm, La Guaca.
José Herman, originally from Nariño, moved to Huila in search of a brighter future after brief stints in Putumayo. Invited by a friend to work on a coffee farm, he discovered his passion for coffee cultivation. In 2001, he purchased his own farm near Bruselas, Pitalito, where he initially planted Caturra. Over the years, he transitioned to specialty varieties like Pink Bourbon (30% of his trees), Castillo (10%), and his unique Bourbon Ají (60%). This variety emerged serendipitously when a few trees from his Caturra seeds exhibited distinct and superior traits, inspiring him to propagate them. Bourbon Aji gained recognition after a sample cupped exceptionally well at Caravela, leading José to focus on specialty coffee in 2015.
La Guaca is a family venture. José oversees operations and cherry picking, Marina manages processing and drying, while Blanca handles records and farm administration. Their teamwork has made the farm more efficient and brought them closer as a family. José is now passing his knowledge to Blanca, ensuring the Bourbon Ají legacy endures for generations. The Salazars take great care in processing their coffee. After selective harvesting, cherries are floated to remove defects, pulped without water, and fermented for 36-50 hours in sealed containers. The beans are then washed, cleaned mechanically, and dried on covered patios for 15-25 days, depending on the altitude and climate.
As a parting message, the Salazar family shares: “This coffee represents a family effort, and we are committed to preserving the Bourbon Ají variety to showcase its quality to the world. It’s a variety born on this farm, thriving in our altitude, and region.”
