05/11/2026
Carmen Montoya has farmed coffee in Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia, for twenty-three years. She started with a small plot of an unknown variety, and her family came to know it as “chiroso” because of its long, slender beans. In 2014 that coffee won her the Cup of Excellence.
Today Carmen is a pioneer of Chiroso cultivation in her region and a community leader who mentors other farmers on processing. Her farms, Los Pinos and Bella Vista, sit between 1,900 and 2,000 meters above sea level. Cool mountain air, slow cherry development, sugars and acidity that take their time. Every day she oversees each step herself: cherry sorting, fermentation, drying.
The same seeds Carmen held in her hands are the ones now in my roastery in Indiana, USA. That is not lost on me. I roast this coffee with the respect it deserves, and out of respect for Carmen and her family.
In the cup: mandarin lifts first, bright and zesty. Soft floral perfume in the middle. Clean caramel sweetness that rounds out a silky body. Long finish, articulate acidity, unmistakably Chiroso. Roasted light. Brews well across pour-over, immersion, and drip. Skip espresso on this one.
Bags from last week’s roast (May 5) are on the shelf now and coming into their window this week. A fresh roast Wednesday, May 13, brings twelve more, and we’ll keep her on the menu for the next few weeks after that.
https://www.dryheatcoffee.com/shop/p/colombia-carmen-montoya-chiroso