What Is Colombian Coffee Like in the Case of the Papayo Variety?

Papayo is a little-known coffee variety grown mainly in Huila, Colombia, with plantings also reported in Tolima and Quindio. Its name comes from the pointed, oval cherry, which resembles a papaya. Many people assume it is the same as Obligon, but World Coffee Research states there is no evidence linking the two, so the origin question stays open.

Finca El Mirador owner Miller Bustos reports that Papayo yields well, cups at its peak between 1,400 and 2,000 meters above sea level, and adapts to washed, natural and honey processing. Colombian coffee flavor from this variety has been described as chocolate, caramel and tropical fruit with a silky mouthfeel, which is why it now appears on competition tables.

The coffee world never lacks surprises, and recently a variety called Papayo is stepping into the public eye through competition stages. Its name comes from the coffee fruit's resemblance to a papaya, and it is mainly rooted in production areas such as Huila in Colombia. Although it is often mistaken for being related to Obligon, the World Coffee Research institute points out that there is no evidence to support this claim. According to Miller Bustos, the owner of Finca El Mirador, this variety has high yield, performs best in flavor between 1,400 and 2,000 meters above sea level, and is suitable for washed, natural, and honey processing, capable of presenting chocolate, caramel, tropical fruit, and a silky mouthfeel. This article will take you through an in-depth understanding of the Papayo variety's origin controversy, cultivation status, processing methods, and cup potential, with a recommended perspective from Front Street Coffee.

In recent years, interest in rare or exclusive varieties within the coffee community has been growing, and some special varieties have entered the public eye through coffee competitions, with Papayo being one of them.

Papayo

The Papayo variety is also called Papayo. It got the name "Papayo" because the coffee fruit it produces somewhat resembles a papaya in appearance, with the coffee cherry being pointed and oval-shaped, hence the name.

Compared with other varieties, Papayo is not very well known. It is mainly grown in the famous Colombian production area of Huila, and can also be seen in Tolima and Quindio.

Obligon

At present, many people think that Papayo and Obligon are the same variety, because both come from the Huila region of Colombia and there is a certain similarity in appearance.

However, reports from the World Coffee Research institute show that there is no evidence proving that Papayo and Obligon belong to the same variety. To clarify the varietal origin of Papayo, more field research is still needed for verification.

According to Miller Bustos, the owner of Finca El Mirador in Colombia, the Papayo variety has a relatively high yield, performs best in flavor when planted between 1,400 and 2,000 meters above sea level, and often scores well in cupping.

In terms of green bean processing, this variety is highly adaptable, and washed, natural, and honey processing can all deliver good results. Washed processing brings more chocolate flavor, along with cheese and caramel notes; natural processing also has caramel notes, but the fruitiness is more prominent. Of course, some people also use processing methods such as anaerobic fermentation.

In terms of flavor, the Papayo variety shows complex tropical fruit notes, including mango, pineapple, papaya, and cherry flavors, with acidity similar to lemon, abundant sweetness, and a silky mouthfeel.

In addition, the green beans of this variety are relatively large, which means that a longer roasting time is needed to allow the sugars to fully develop and thus form rich flavors.

It can be said that with its complex flavor, high yield, and good adaptability to different processing methods, the Papayo variety has good potential for the future.

At present, the Papayo variety has often won first place in local coffee competitions in Huila in recent years. However, this variety is currently only grown in some areas of Colombia, but more and more farmers are beginning to turn their attention to Papayo, and it is expected that more of this variety will appear on the market in the future.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.