About ten years ago, Helmut Ulrich launched Soul Seed, a project with a strong focus on sustainability, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Colombia. The organic cultivation of heirloom Arabica coffee plants is carried out in harmony with nature. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are kept away from these coffee plants and the harvest workers. Fertilization is done exclusively with the farm's own compost, chicken manure, and recycled water. While organic coffee farming has always been practiced on the farm, the high costs for the small operation led to the decision to forgo organic certification starting with the 2025 harvest.
The Austrian-born farmer places particular emphasis on involving the local population in his project. Therefore, the harvest workers on the farm are paid double the local average wage. Furthermore , as many processing steps as possible are deliberately carried out by hand rather than by machine, thus ensuring that the harvest workers retain more of their earnings.
To enrich the unique flora and fauna on and around the coffee farm, Helmut is actively reforesting. For every sack of coffee sold, 100 native trees are planted. He also supports his neighbors with coffee seedlings so they can improve their harvests.
The wet processing of the coffee cherries takes place directly on the farm, which is difficult to reach by vehicle. After the pulp is removed, the coffee beans are fermented in tanks for 18 hours. This process removes the remaining pulp and mucilage. The coffee beans are then washed and dried on raised beds in Africa. This processing method results in a particularly clean cup profile.
The dark roast gives this coffee a full body and pleasing roasted aromas. Flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, and dried fruit delight the palate. This coffee is particularly well-suited for classic espresso and milk-based drinks.
Region : Minca, Sierra Nevada
Farmer : Helmut Ullrich
Cultivation altitude : 1200 m
Varieties : Bourbon, Typica, Caturra
Preparation : Washed
Preparation recommendation: Espresso machine, moka pot, fully automatic coffee machine
Best Taste Recommendation: 3 - 16 weeks after roasting (Best Before - 1 year)
Body: 4/5
Fruit: 1/5
Flavor profile:
Dark chocolate
caramel
Dried plum
Kumquat
