ORIGIN TRIP: COLOMBIA
In November 2024, Tim headed to Colombia to do what he does best—get his boots dirty, cup a ton of coffee, and connect with the real people behind the beans. This wasn’t some polished industry dog-and-pony show. This was the “Tolima, Coffee Heart of Colombia Fair,” and it was the real deal.
We hit the ground running—visiting farms, meeting producers who live and breathe this work, and sitting down at the cupping table to taste some of the best coffees coming out of the region. Then came the auction, where the energy was high and the coffees spoke for themselves. No fluff, no filler—just hardworking folks producing world-class coffee and getting the recognition (and prices) they deserve.
What we saw in Tolima was more than just craft—it was commitment. A whole community showing up, leveling up, and proving that the best coffee doesn’t come from marketing hype—it comes from deep roots, careful hands, and a whole lot of pride in the process.
This wasn’t just an excuse to cup great coffees and sit in on an auction (though we did plenty of both). It was about showing up, shaking hands, and building real relationships with new growers—people who are now part of our network and part of the bigger story we’re telling together.
Coffee is about people. It’s about trust. It’s about sharing something meaningful across borders, languages, and backgrounds. We were lucky to connect with producers from Tolima and folks from all over the world who care about craft, quality, and doing things the right way.
We don’t take that lightly—and we don’t take it for granted. This trip wasn’t just business. It was connection, it was community, and yeah, it was good coffee.
THE AUCTION
These coffees aren’t cheap—and they shouldn’t be. They’re the result of effort, intention, and pride in craft. Every cherry picked, every lot processed, every detail fine-tuned—that work shows up in the cup. And the reward? It’s not just about flavor; it’s also about honoring the people behind it.
Tim was one of an international panel of very talented coffee people judging more than 40 lots. Yes, he took it seriously and yes, judging from the stories and pictures, he also had fun. After the cupping, each coffee was ranked and headed to auction. We had the opportunity to bid on the coffees we connected with most. Not just with our palates, but with our values. We bid because we believed in the work behind them, and we wanted to bring those coffees home—to roast, to share, and to tell their story.
Now, the Best of Tolima coffees are live on our site. These aren’t just great coffees—they’re a reflection of what happens when integrity meets excellence. Grown with pride, judged with care, and roasted to highlight everything that makes them special.
ASOPEP
COOP
Asociación de Productores Egológicos de Planadas (ASOPEP) is a young but successful coop in the town of Planadas in the Tolima region of Colombia. Founded in 2013 the organization now has 168 members making it the largest in Tolima. Its mission is to foster personal growth of its members, protect the environment, innovate in commercial business processes, and be the vanguard of specialty coffee producers worldwide.
ASOPEP hosted the 2024 Best of Tolima Auction, where a jury was recruited to cup and score coffees from the region and judge which ones would qualify for the auction. The jury consisted of 15 people from all over the world - Tim being one of them! Over the course of two days, they cupped and scored all the coffees to decide which ones would go to auction. Needless to say, the coffees tasted were incredible and we were lucky enough to bring some home for you to try for yourselves.
