Striped Bourbon - Colombia [Natural Anaerobic]

Roaster: Sumo Coffee Roasters
Origin: Acevedo, Huila, Colombia
Producer: Alexander Vargas – Finca La Piragua
Varietal: Striped Bourbon
Process: Anaerobic Natural
Altitude: 1,600 - 1,800 masl
Harvest: 2025
Profile: Cherry · Dehydrated red fruit · Raisins · Herbal · Citrus · Cane sugar
Format: 250 g
Roast: Light (Omni)
Ideal for: Filter and Espresso

Why we like it: Alexander Vargas's technical precision, backed by his own cupping lab, and a very complex and structured anaerobic natural profile.

Who should buy it: Ideal for those seeking a complex anaerobic natural, with notes of dried fruit, a herbal touch, and great clarity in the cup.

Alexander Vargas began his journey in coffee at 15, working alongside his parents and learning the fundamentals of cultivation from scratch. At 20, he made the clear decision to focus on specialty coffee production, and over the past two decades, he has constantly refined his approach by experimenting with both varieties and processing techniques.

At La Piragua, Alexander works with varieties such as Geisha and Pink Bourbon, applying controlled anaerobic fermentations and other modern processing methods to unlock their full potential. His coffees have achieved multiple national Cup of Excellence nominations, reflecting both technical precision and consistent quality.

Quality control is central to his operation. Alexander built his own cupping lab on the farm, where each lot is evaluated and classified before shipment. This internal control allows him to make informed decisions about processing adjustments and lot separation, ensuring clarity and structure in the final cup.

Beyond coffee, he has diversified the farm with crops like dragon fruit, generating year-round productivity and greater economic resilience. For Alexander, innovation is not about novelty for its own sake, but about ensuring La Piragua's long-term sustainability and competitiveness in a global specialty market.

His work also extends to the local community. He actively shares his knowledge with younger producers, contributing to a culture of quality and continuous improvement. At La Piragua, tradition and experimentation advance together, honoring family roots while driving a clear commitment to excellence in every harvest.

In the cup, it stands out with notes of cherry, dried red fruit, raisins, an herbal character, citrus, and sugarcane.

Sumo Coffee Roasters' mission is to create a transparent and ethical coffee business that highlights and celebrates everyone involved, from the producers and farmers who pour their heart and sweat into the craft to the baristas who create the finished product, and everyone in between.

Our goal is to ensure direct trade and that we pay a fair price to the farmers.

By helping educate consumers about the farmers' craft, by telling the story behind the bean, and by doing our best to achieve perfection in our roast, Sumo's plan is to elevate the standard and experience for all involved in the industry, innovating the way forward for coffee.

Sumo Coffee Roasters was founded in the summer of 2020 by 2019 World Cup Tasters Champion Daniel Horbat and his partner, Alexandra.