High in the mountains above Sotará in Colombia's Cauca department, Israel Salazar tends a seven-hectare farm that's as sustainable as it is stunning. Finca Loma El Marcelo produces coffee on half its land while the other half grows vegetables, beans, oranges, plantains, and sugarcane. Beehives hum, dairy cows graze, and a natural spring provides water for family, animals, and coffee processing. Panther Coffee has worked with Israel for eight years, and this washed-process lot shows exactly why: it's a celebration of intense, vivid fruit flavors that sing in the cup.
Tasting Notes
Expect bright citrus to lead—sweet orange and lemon zest open the cup with crystalline clarity. As it cools, graham cracker sweetness emerges, adding a gentle base that balances the acidity. The body is medium and silky, the acidity lively but not sharp, and the finish lingers with orange peel and a hint of honeyed grain. This is fruit-forward coffee at its finest, showcasing the terroir of high-altitude Cauca and the precision of washed processing with raised-bed drying.
Brew Methods
This coffee shines brightest in methods that highlight clarity and brightness. Pour over (V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex) will showcase those citrus notes beautifully, while a French press brings out the graham cracker sweetness and fuller body. If you're dialing in espresso, expect a zesty shot with orange marmalade character—perfect for a standalone cortado or cappuccino. Medium-light roasts like this benefit from water just off boil (200-205°F) and grind settings that allow full extraction without bitterness.
About Panther Coffee
Miami-based Panther Coffee has built a reputation for sourcing coffees with transparent origin stories and roasting them to let terroir shine. Their long-term relationships with producers like Israel Salazar ensure quality year after year.
Not sure which grinder setting will unlock those orange and lemon notes? Clive's team can recommend equipment pairings and brew recipes tailored to how you like to make coffee at home.