Colombia Las Perlitas Chiroso

Tasting Notes: Rose, Apple, Custard

Several Smallholder Farmers | Region: Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia | Varietal: Chiroso | Mill/Washing Station: Coffee Quest | Importer: Coffee Quest | Processing: Washed | Altitude: 1,900–2,300 MASL

Our average cupping score: 87.5

About the Producers

In Spanish, Las Perlitas means “Little Pearls.” In Colombia, smallholder farmers often produce small but high-quality lots that cannot be exported individually. To help them receive fair payment, buyers combine these small lots based on cup score and profile into larger, export-size lots. One celebrated result is Las Perlitas Chiroso, a washed coffee from Urrao, Antioquia. The selection process is strict: each small lot is cupped multiple times — first at the buying station, then again from every sack at the warehouse — and must meet moisture and physical standards. Approved lots are stored in Grainpro bags until milling in Medellín.

What makes this coffee stand out

Chiroso is a rare varietal native to Colombia. It is named for its elongated shape; "chiroso" is slang for "elongated" in spanish. It is believed to have originated from Ethiopia Landraces, and so it shares many of the same cup characteristics as Ethiopia Landraces and Gesha: a prominent florality, delicate fruitiness and a silky mouthfeel.

Pour over recipe:

Ratio: 18g coffee, 274g water | Grind: Medium-coarse | Water: 200F

0:00 60 g bloom, gentle
0:45 200 g medium height, create agitation
(just before bed dries) 274 very gentle, very slow
Target brew time 3:15