UKUKU

We arrived punctually at 9:30 a.m., even though the doors wouldn’t open until 10:00 a.m. As we waited, my brother and I, both part of Ukuku, met Blanca, a kind lady who offered us an unexpected tasting: wine and whiskey cream, both made with coffee. Curiosity got the best of us, and we decided to buy the coffee wine. Later, we discovered that Blanca was part of the delegation from the Chamber of Commerce of Huila. From that moment, we knew it was going to be a day full of interesting discoveries.

As we entered the fair, the first thing that caught our attention were the impressive stands of two major Colombian insurance companies: Seguros Sura and Seguros Bolívar. We were surprised to see their presence, but it made sense once we realized the crucial role insurance plays in the coffee export chain. The next stand we visited was Ingesec, a company specializing in agricultural machinery. In the center of their exhibit stood an impressive giant drum roaster, capable of roasting up to 12 kg of green coffee per batch. We witnessed a roasting demonstration while enjoying the delicious aroma of coffee beans toasting.

We continued our tour and reached the stand of Fibtex, a key company for us in export logistics. We were impressed by their range of Gainpro packaging, from small sample bags to full container covers. Their variety of options meets the needs of both coffee growers and distributors or roasters at destination, ensuring the safety and quality of the product.

Later, we took a break and enjoyed our first cup of coffee of the day. The barista and taster Leider Benítez prepared us a coffee from the Caturra and Castillo varieties using the drip method. The fruity notes of tangerine and other citrus made it an unforgettable experience, thanks to the excellent coffee presented by Café Coocentral.

During our journey, we also visited our friends at Café Pureza, where we had the chance to taste their delicious Castillo variety coffee with a distinctive chocolaty flavor. We had a pleasant conversation with Alexis, the brand’s creator, who works with his own farm and small coffee growers in Norte de Santander.

One of the projects that impacted us the most was Inga Aponte, driven by the Colombian government’s Unit for Victims. This project involves indigenous people from Nariño who used to cultivate illicit crops and now produce ancestral coffee at over 2,100 meters above sea level on the slopes of a volcano. It was an honor to taste their coffee, with citrus notes of orange and grapefruit, a product that is not only delicious but also has a profound social impact.

Later, we reconnected with Blanca at the Chamber of Commerce of Huila’s stand, where she gave us the coffee wine we had purchased earlier in the day. There, we also met Andrés, a coffee grower from Huila who told us about his brand Café Guakita and his excellent work with varieties like Geisha Panama, Bourbon Rosado, and Papayo, each with unique and attractive flavor profiles.

One of the most innovative products we found was an organic coffee grown in Timbío, Cauca, mixed with hemp seeds. This product, from the company Sahuka, contains a low concentration of CBD, making it ideal for relaxing both mind and body. Moreover, Sahuka is a company committed to innovation, with certifications such as cruelty-free.

To wrap up the day, we stayed to watch the exciting final of the Barista Championship, where competitors go through three stages: eliminations, semifinals, and the grand finale. Each has 15 minutes to prepare 4 espressos, 4 milk-based drinks, and 4 signature drinks, showcasing their creativity and skill.

In summary, it was an extremely productive day, full of flavors, Colombian agricultural products, and business opportunities. Expo Café Colombia 2024 not only allowed us to taste a wide range of coffees and other products, but also to meet the incredible people working hard to bring the best of Colombia to the world.

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