Ecuador Fausto Romo Sidra Washed Filter

THE FARM - Finca Carolina

Fausto owns Finca Carolina, a picturesque 15-acre farm where approximately half of the land is dedicated to coffee cultivation. He specializes in two unique varieties: Gesha and Sidra.

Among his offerings, the Sidra selection has captured our attention with its remarkable complexity. Sidra is thought to be the result of a cross between Ethiopian heirloom varietals and various Bourbon varietals, developed by Nestlé in Ecuador. Our experience with this particular Sidra has revealed additional intriguing notes of jackfruit and an elevated acidity that sets it apart from others.

Initially, Fausto was a dairy farmer, tending to 11 Holstein cows imported from Colombia, which produced around 75 gallons of milk each month. Inspired by his uncle, Olmedo Romo, a coffee grower, Fausto decided to plant one acre of coffee, specifically choosing the Sidra varietal based on his uncle's recommendation. He ultimately expanded his coffee plantation to three hectares.However, due to the slow growth of coffee plants and the delay in harvesting, Fausto had to sell half of his cows during the first two years while waiting for his coffee yields to increase. Fortunately, after this initial period, his financial difficulties diminished as his coffee sales flourished.Interestingly, before embarking on his coffee journey, Fausto did not even drink coffee! Now, he enjoys it daily and cherishes the sweet aroma of the coffee flowers blooming on his farm. He delights in the fact that their fragrant scent can be detected from a considerable distance, attracting bees that buzz happily around the blossoms.