Colombia - Manos Juntas Micromill

Manos Juntas Micromill – A Commitment to Quality Coffee

The Manos Juntas Micromill, located in the Sotará area of Colombia's Cauca region, is a forward-thinking initiative managed by Banexport, a key exporter of specialty Colombian coffee. The micromill simplifies the coffee production process by streamlining tasks between local producers and Banexport, allowing each to focus on their strengths.

At Manos Juntas, the coffee is purchased from local farmers in its freshest form, as whole cherries, on the day of harvest. Upon arrival at the mill, Banexport’s team measures the Brix and pH levels to ensure the optimal quality of the cherries. These cherries then undergo a five-day anaerobic fermentation process in hermetically sealed tanks, where nitrogen is introduced to promote yeast activity. Continuous monitoring of Brix and pH helps determine the ideal stopping point for fermentation, which is then halted by subjecting the coffee to 20°C to remove microorganisms.

Processing Methods:

• Honey Process: The cherries are depulped and dried with their mucilage intact on raised beds under shade.
• Natural Process: The cherries are "aged" in tanks for an additional five days before being dried in solar dryers for 30-45 days.