Colombia Aroma Nativo AJI Hydro Honey (100g)

コロンビア アロマ ナティーボ アヒ ハイドロハニー（100g）

Aroma Nativo AJI 406 Hydro Honey is a micro lot processed in Pitalito, Huila, and it represents the work of Luis Marcelino and Aroma Nativo especially well. Aroma Nativo is best understood not simply as a single farm, but as a processing-driven project that works with carefully selected producers and applies advanced fermentation knowledge to build highly distinctive lots. Through its Veci project, launched in 2022, the team has created a collaborative model that supports growers who farm well but lack the infrastructure to process coffee at the same level. Instead of blending away differences, Aroma Nativo emphasizes traceability and preserves the identity of each farm and harvest week, which is why its releases are often limited micro lots or nano lots.

Aji is a variety name used affectionately in southern Huila, inspired by the aromatic character of the cherries, which some farmers compare to small chili peppers. At the same time, genetic analysis has linked the variety more closely to Ethiopian landrace material, giving it a reputation for expressive aromatics and layered cup character. For this lot, only ripe cherries are hand selected. They go through a controlled anaerobic fermentation, are then depulped, partially dried for several days, and returned to fermentation tanks for rehydration with selected yeasts and bacteria. After that, the coffee is dried on raised beds for about ten days and stabilized for roughly one and a half months under carefully controlled conditions.

In the cup, tropical fruits lead with a bright and juicy impression, followed by the elegant floral lift of jasmine. White peach rounds out the finish with a soft sweetness and smooth fruit character that keeps the coffee refined rather than aggressive. Even with its complex processing, the profile suggests clarity as much as intensity. As a light roast, it offers a polished expression of contemporary Huila processing, combining fragrance, sweetness, and gentle structure in a very composed way.