This coffee is from the Aponte Mill in Narino, specifically Tablón de Gomez region of Colombia. Produced by the local Inga community at altitudes between 1,600 and 2,250 meters above sea level. The coffee is Caturra variety processed using Anaerobic Honey method. Flavor notes include Raspberry, Red Apple, and Caramelised Nuts. The region benefits from nutrient-rich volcanic ash soil from the nearby Galeras Volcano, and farms average just one hectare in size, situated among the highest coffee farms in Colombia.
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.
