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Zarza – Ají

Rare & Exclusive

Finca Zarza, Huila, Colombia – Advanced Natural Ají

 – “An outstanding rare mutation of an Ethiopian landrace, produced on the World Barista Championship–winning farm of our dear friend, Jonathan Gasca”.

What to expect in the cup

Passion fruit, almond, cherry bakewell. Strikingly sweet and dessert-like, with a mouthwatering texture and bright, tangy acidity, revealing layered complexity with amaretto and frangipane richness and a smooth, elegant finish.

£24.00£100.00

This lot is produced from Bourbon Ají, a rare varietal believed to be a natural mutation of an Ethiopian landrace. It is known for its highly expressive cup profile, combining intense florality with vivid, fruit-driven sweetness. At Zarza, the variety is approached with precision and intent, with processing designed to highlight clarity, structure and aromatic complexity. The farm has already gained international recognition, most notably when their Papayo was used by Australian Barista Champion Jack Simpson to win the 2025 World Barista Championship, reflecting the level of ambition and attention to detail behind their work. This coffee undergoes an advanced natural process centred on extended fermentation in whole cherry. Following selective harvesting, the cherries are oxidised for 24 hours to initiate microbial activity and build early aromatic layers. A 60 hour anaerobic fermentation in sealed tanks follows, developing depth and intensifying the varietal’s characteristic berry and floral notes. The cherries are then transferred to sealed bags for a further 60 hour fermentation phase, reinforcing fruit concentration and structure. A controlled thermal shock is applied to stabilise the process and preserve volatile aromatics, before the coffee is dried slowly on raised beds over 12 to 15 days. This careful drying phase supports clarity and balance while holding onto sweetness and vibrancy, resulting in a cup that is memorable, composed and quietly remarkable.
Zarza Coffee is a family led project in Bruselas, Pitalito, at the heart of Huila’s most celebrated coffee growing region. Led by Jonatan Gasca and Alejandra Muñoz, the farm reflects a new generation of producers building on heritage with clarity, precision and ambition. We first visited Finca Zarza in 2022 at the very beginning of their journey. Even then, there was a strong sense of purpose, with an attention to detail and openness to experimentation that continues to define their work today. The farm spans around 6 hectares at 1,540 metres above sea level, where coffee is cultivated alongside other crops within a diverse and evolving ecosystem. Beekeeping forms an important part of this approach, supporting biodiversity and contributing to the overall health of the land. Zarza represents a new chapter for the Gasca family, grounded in traceability, sustainability and a commitment to quality at every stage. From selective harvesting through to carefully managed fermentation and post harvest practices, each lot is handled with clear intent. Alejandra’s path into coffee brings a distinct perspective to the project. Raised in Bruselas and shaped by a practical upbringing outside of coffee, she now plays a central role in developing the identity and future of the farm alongside Jonatan. Zarza remains at an early stage, but its direction is clear, a focused, family driven project dedicated to producing expressive coffees that reflect both place and process.