This Esperanza de Colombia was part of the Nespresso Reviving Origins program, which aimed to revitalise the coffee industry in Caqueta, Colombia, after decades of conflict that led to many farmers abandoning their land. This initiative collaborated closely with local farmers, supporting them through farming cooperatives and enhancing agricultural practices and infrastructure to facilitate the resurgence of Colombian coffee production.
The coffee was split-roasted. The first roast was for a medium time and colour, while the second was slightly darker in colour but underwent a shorter roasting process. Encased in a black capsule with purple text, it carried an intensity rating of 5 out of 13.
When extracted as an espresso, the liquid presented a translucent dark brown hue accompanied by a roasted, mildly acidic coffee aroma. Serving it black with a 1:1 ratio of espresso to water revealed a light body with subtle fruity notes and a pronounced acidity at the forefront of each sip. As the sip progressed, the flavour of dried plums and dates emerged in the body alongside the evolving roasted coffee tones. The culmination was marked by lingering dark caramelized date notes, accompanied by a distinct acidity that harmoniously blended with a deep bitterness, persisting pleasantly in the aftertaste.
As recommended by Nespresso, incorporating a dash of milk (10 mL) into the preparation balanced out the acidity and mitigated the bitterness. On the whole, the well-balanced interplay between fruity and bitter elements rendered the coffee intriguing to explore, although it didn’t stand out enough for us to consider repurchasing.
This Nespresso Reviving Origins Esperanza de Colombia contained 10 x 5.3 g capsules. It was produced in Switzerland and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2022.