This coffee is produced by José Hernán Salazar Benavides at Finca La Guaca in Maraca, Pitalito, Huila, Colombia at 1798 meters altitude. The variety is Ají Landrace, a rare first-generation offspring from wild Ethiopian coffee forests, discovered by José on his farm. It is processed using anaerobic washed method. Harvested in July 2024, this coffee features flavor notes of blackcurrant, toffee, and vanilla. The Ají variety secured 6th place at the Colombia Cup of Excellence.
Kiss the Hippo launched in 2018 as London's first carbon negative coffee roastery. Every coffee they sell is certified organic by the Soil Association and certified carbon negative, with reforestation projects in Colombia, Madagascar, Zambia, and Nepal through a partnership with Swiss nonprofit On A Mission. They pay farmers at least 50% above Fair Trade prices, often double. The roastery has won the UK Barista Championships three times, with victories by Joshua Tarlo in 2018, Paul Ross in 2019, and Paul Ross again in 2020 and now supplies seven London café locations. Sustainability extends to fully compostable pods, recyclable packaging, a Living Wage commitment, and a partnership with bio bean that turns used grounds into biofuels.
