The successful 5th edition of Calle Del Cafe was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various organizations, including the Colombian Coffee Federation and local government entities. The event featured activities like cupping competitions and AeroPress challenges. Apart from the main coffee festival, a private cocktail hour competition took place outside Calle del Cafe, where participants from different brands, coffee shops, and baristas were evaluated by a panel of coffee experts, including Julian M. Guzman, the owner and CEO of Gold Medusa Coffee.
The noticeable progress from previous editions is a result of improved organization and logistics. The dedication and hard work put into ensuring the event's success are truly commendable, with significant time and effort invested in the planning and execution of such a large-scale event.
Our trip to Colombia began with a press conference at the departmental section headquarters of the Colombian Coffee Federation in Pereira, the capital of the coffee axis. The event was well-attended by over 20 news media outlets, the department's secretary of agriculture, the committee director, the mayor, and other key figures in the local coffee industry.
Later in the week, we participated in a "Business Round-Table," which was a new initiative for Apia. In previous years, coffee purchases during the Calle del Cafe event were traditionally done through public auctions. However, this year, the process changed to direct interactions, allowing each buyer to taste the coffee in the presence of the farmers and ask questions about cultivation and procurement.
During this part of Calle Del Cafe, Gold Medusa Coffee had the opportunity to acquire coffee lots from Oscar Restrepo and Villa de Las Cascaras, who secured the 1st and 2nd place for natural processed Coffee.
The main event started on Friday with various preliminary competitions, such as competitive cupping and AeroPress contests. These competitions attracted a diverse group of talented baristas, coffee enthusiasts from local and international backgrounds, and students from a Colombian public institution that offers free vocational and technical training focused on industry-specific education related to the coffee supply chain.
On Saturday evening, we took part in a coffee cocktail competition where 14 baristas competed to create the best cocktail. Each participant had a designated preparation time and was evaluated based on criteria such as presentation, display, organization, and cleanliness of their station. Julian, the owner/operator of Gold Medusa Coffee Co., served as one of the judges for the competition. "Being a judge at this event was a wonderful experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to what next year has in store," he expressed.
The Sunday morning began in a customary way with a parade featuring coffee farmers showcasing more than 47 coffee brands cultivated in Apia. Following the parade, the aeropress and cupping competitions continued. Subsequently, the "olleta" or cowboy coffee contest commenced, predominantly involving young barista enthusiasts. Governor of Risaralda, Mr. Juan Diego Patiño, and neighboring Governor of Antioquia, Mr. Diego Salazar Pelaez, also took part in the event.
The event came to a conclusion with the announcement of the winners of best washed, honey, and natural processed coffees. The winners were announced as follows
Process | Winner |
|---|---|
Washed | Alvaro Antonio Ramirez |
Honey | Fabio Nelson Castaño Castaño |
Natural | Oscar Dario Restrepo |
It is important to acknowledge the exceptional dedication of the men and women involved in every stage of the coffee supply chain. While the event itself highlights the celebration of coffee, it is crucial to recognize that the majority of the hard work takes place in the months leadi
ng up to and following the event. Coffee farming is a challenging and demanding endeavor, particularly in the mountainous landscapes of Colombia. Countless hours and days are devoted to nurturing and sustaining a thriving crop, not to mention the laborious effort and meticulous attention to detail involved in the coffee processing, often carried out by the farmers themselves.
The effort invested in the event has been remarkable, as we have personally observed. The organizers and their team have devoted extensive hours to prepare for the event. Managing logistics across various organizations is a commendable undertaking. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the organizers who have embraced this significant challenge. Our gratitude knows no bounds. Thank you - Julian M. Guzman, Owner/Operator of Gold Medusa Coffee Co.
Competition Winners at Calle Del Cafe - Apia 2024
Competition | Winner |
|---|---|
AeroPress | Pedro Mercado |
Cupping | Andres Felipe Maldonado |
We also extend our gratitude to the sponsors:
The Imperial Mercantile
Gutter Guys Inc
The Wild Cholla
Back Door Antiques
133 West
Special thanks to:
Alcaldia Apia
Gobernacion De Risaralda
Comitte De Cafeteros - Risaralda
Photo credits: Mauroicio Ramirez
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