COLOMBIA - WUCHII

 GREEN APPLE // CHERRY // ALMOND // CARAMEL

The Cooperativa de Caficultores del Cauca (Caficauca) was founded in 1961 with the purpose of providing fair and accessible market opportunities for growers. Today, it has more than 3,000 members, with an average farm size of 1.6 hectares. The Regional “Wuchii,” meaning the winged one, is a symbol of flight and a totem for the rich biodiversity found in Colombia’s coffee landscapes. The Wuchii lots selected by Siruma are composed of contributions from an average of 85 growers per lot. Their coffees are fully washed, with fermentation lasting 16–19 hours, followed by drying in parabolic solar dryers for around 10 days until the target moisture content is achieved. The coffee is grown in Piendamó, Cajibío, and Morales, an area often referred to as the Tabletop of Cauca. These towns offer excellent coffee-growing conditions, with elevations of 1,800–2,050 masl, fertile soils, and a strong coffee-based economy. However, this prosperity has come at a cost. Since the 1970s, the region has been deeply affected by armed conflict, forcing many landowners to cultivate illicit crops. Coffee has existed as a parallel economy, constantly clashing with these illicit activities, yet remaining a vital source of resilience and progress for the community.