Colombia La Leona Honey

Swiss Water worked in partnership with our colleagues at Cofinet to source this special coffee, which was honey processed at Cofinet’s La Pradera station. We selected this coffee not only to spotlight the work of a wonderful woman producer, but because its intense, vibrant flavor is a true celebration of the potential of great decaf!

Luz Helena Salazar owns two farms in the Armenia, Quindío region of Colombia, having worked in coffee for the last two decades and attuning her focus to the specialty market with the help of her sons, Carlos and Felipe Salazar (who happen to be the owners of her export company, Cofinet). Luz has worked thoughtfully to improve farming practices, combat damaging insects, and select the highest quality ripe cherries—and her efforts show in the resulting cup.

Outside of coffee, Luz dedicates her time to many humanitarian efforts within her community. She donates both her time and financial support to local groups that distribute food and clothing to vulnerable groups such as low-income families, the elderly, and people displaced by violence. Uplifting her community—both by striving towards a higher quality, more sustainable coffee business, and through her direct aid to residents—is Luz’s guiding principle.