Why Does Wush Wush From the Kaffa Forest Thrive in Colombia?
Wush Wush originated in the Kaffa Forest of Ethiopia and reached Colombia about 30 years ago, where Monteverde Estate now grows it at 1,800 to 2,100 meters in southern Tolima. An enzyme aerobic fermentation natural process draws out rose, fennel leaf, and purple grape notes, a profile that rivals high-grade Geisha even though the variety stays rare in Asian markets.
Monteverde has ample sunshine, regular rainfall, and close access to the Rio Blanco, which flows year-round, so post-harvest processing stays stable. That water and altitude let this coffee farm grow Geisha, Wush Wush, SL-28, and Borbon Sidra instead of only Caturra or Castillo. Like Geisha, Wush Wush is an Ethiopian heirloom, but it found its fullest expression after arriving in Colombia.
In southern Tolima, Colombia, at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,100 meters, Monteverde Estate has successfully cultivated delicate varieties such as Geisha, WushWush, SL-28, and Borbon Sidra, thanks to its exceptional sunlight, rainfall, and proximity to the Rio Blanco water source. Among them, WushWush originated from the Kaffa Forest in Ethiopia and has flourished since being introduced to Colombia 30 years ago. In this article, Front Street Coffee will take you deep into the terroir of Monteverde Estate, the story of the WushWush variety, and the stunning flavors of rose, fennel leaf, and purple grape interwoven by a enzyme aerobic fermentation natural process.
Front Street Coffee Colombia Monteverde Estate Estate Introduction Monteverde Estate is located at the southern end of Tolima Province, Colombia, at an altitude between 1,800 and 2,100 meters. These geographical conditions provide the estate with ample sunshine hours and regular rainfall cycles, while the high-altitude environment also enables Monteverde Estate to cultivate many specialty varieties, such as Geisha, WushWush, SL-28, and Borbon Sidra, rather than being limited to the Caturra or Castillo commonly found on most estates. The reason Monteverde Estate can grow these delicate and special varieties, in addition to the above-mentioned terroir advantages, also benefits from its convenient access to water. Near the estate flows an important river in Tolima Province—Rio Blanco (meaning White River). This river has water almost year-round and never dries up in either the wet or dry season, providing the estate with abundant water sources and ensuring stable post-harvest processing of green beans, thus showcasing the rich and delicate flavors of Geisha and WushWush.
WUSHWUSH Variety Introduction WushWush originated in the town of Wush Wush in the Kaffa Forest of Ethiopia and was introduced to small coffee farms in Colombia about 30 years ago for cultivation and processing. Like Geisha, WushWush is an Ethiopian heirloom variety. However, unlike Geisha, WushWush truly shone only after arriving in Colombia, and its flavor and complexity are in no way inferior to high-grade Geisha; it is just still very rare in the Asian market.
Front Street Coffee Colombia Monteverde Estate WUSHWUSH Enzyme Aerobic Fermentation Natural
Country: Colombia
Region: Monteverde Estate
Variety: WushWush (rare variety)
Processing Method: Enzyme Aerobic Fermentation Natural
Flavor "Main notes: rose, fennel leaf, purple grape. Cupping flavors: rose, peony, strawberry, cranberry, purple grape."
Tasting Description "The dry aroma carries notes of jackfruit and spice reminiscent of fennel leaf. On closer inspection of the wet aroma, besides jackfruit, rose floral notes can also be detected. On the palate, the aromas of rich ripe fruits such as grape, cranberry, and jackfruit are clearly identifiable; the acidity and sweetness are full and harmonious, the finish is layered and long-lasting, continuously releasing intense dark floral notes such as rose. The overall style is outstanding and difficult to fully describe in words."
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
