Edilfonso Yara's La Esperanza is one of our most enduring relationships in Colombia, one that goes back to our initial forays into that country. We buy lots from several producers in this region, but Edilfonso proves himself to be one of the shining stars of the Desarrollo growers association in the town of Gigante. Harvest after harvest, we see several choice lots from Edilfonso, which is especially meaningful given the difficulties that Colombia coffee producers have faced in the last several years. Coffee leaf rust--a fungus that turns the foliage of coffee plants orange--has wreaked havoc on the entire coffee industry there, and as a result, there is a lot of pressure on producers to replace older plants with hybrid varieties that are more disease-resistant, but don't have the same flavor qualities as Caturra or Bourbon.

For Edilfonso, there are new challenges with every harvest, yet he remains committed to the work, even taking the time to experiment with different methods of processing and drying. It's that extra effort that really sets La Esperanza apart, both in the field and on the cupping table.