ONYX - Brayan Smith Gesha | Colombia - Washed - Gesha

Brayan is a third-generation coffee grower from Huila whose relationship with coffee began long before he ever thought about quality scores or specialty markets. Growing up in Pitalito, he watched his family move through each harvest with care and excitement, an annual rhythm defined by long days, close attention to detail, and a deep respect for the land that sustained them. Those early experiences shaped his understanding of coffee not just as a crop, but as a responsibility passed from one generation to the next.

As a young producer, Brayan made a deliberate decision to preserve that tradition whilst pushing it forward. Rather than relying solely on inherited practices, he began focusing on improving agronomic techniques, refining post-harvest processes, and experimenting with varieties better suited to specialty production. This balance—honouring what came before whilst investing in what's possible—has become the foundation of his work.

Today, Brayan leads a local coffee association in Huila dedicated to producing high-quality, traceable coffees. His role extends beyond his own farm; he actively collaborates with small producers in the surrounding area, sharing tools, knowledge, and practical support to help elevate quality across the community. Through this collective approach, Brayan has helped foster a culture of learning and improvement, strengthening both individual farms and the region as a whole.

His own farm sits between 1500 and 1800 metres above sea level in Pitalito, Huila. The elevation, combined with careful farm management, allows for slow cherry maturation and expressive flavour development. On the farm, Brayan cultivates a diverse range of varieties, including Pink Bourbon, Gesha, Sidra, Castillo, Caturra, and Bourbon, each selected for its potential and role within the broader ecosystem of the farm.