This coffee is from the Tolima region of Colombia, specifically Planadas in the foothills of the Cordillera Central. It is produced by the ASOPEP cooperative, consisting of 168 coffee farming families. The coffee is made from Typica, Castillo, and Caturra cultivars, processed using the washed method at altitudes between 1,450 and 2,150 meters. The beans offer flavor notes of red apple, dark chocolate, and caramel. The cooperative is certified organic and Fair Trade, with a youth collective focused on education and quality control.
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.
