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Santiago Noriega Bourbon Ají

Rare Bourbon Ají Green Coffee Beans from Colombia

Rare

89.0 Cup Score

Santiago Noriega grew up around coffee without ever quite meaning to - his parents, Aldemar and Diana Noriega, ran the commercial side of the trade in Tarqui, Huila, and the rhythms of farm life were simply part of his childhood. But it took a crisis to bring him back to it properly. When the family was forced to leave the commercial coffee trade behind in 2001, they moved to Pitalito, and it was there, enrolling at SENA (Colombia's national vocational training institute), that Santiago's dormant interest in coffee turned into something else entirely - a genuine passion. He worked across several coffee companies before returning to SENA as an instructor, teaching cupping, barista skills and roasting for five years. Eventually, he made the leap: bringing his family into a project of his own, and pouring everything he'd learned into producing differentiated coffees from exotic varieties using traditional methods. That project is Cultivares Farm.

Bourbon Ají takes its name from the distinct chili-pepper (ají) aroma it can give off during harvest, and for years it was assumed to be a natural mutation of Bourbon. Genetic testing has since shown otherwise - it's actually a rare, distinct Ethiopian landrace, misnamed by coincidence rather than lineage. It first drew real attention in 2021, when producer José Herman Salazar entered a lot from Finca La Guaca in Pitalito, Huila, into the Colombia Cup of Excellence, placing 6th with a score of 89.32. Since then, it's remained the domain of a small number of pioneering producers across Huila and Nariño's high-altitude microclimates) - Santiago among them.

An Exceptional Find

Rare, experimental lots in tiny quantities. These unique finds are never restocked.

Processing Method
Honey
Main Flavour Notes
Mango | Papaya | Coconut
Varietal
Bourbon Ají
Harvest Period
April 2026
Altitude
1650 masl
Screen Size
+14
Species
Arabica
Original Packaging
Vacuum Packed
Region
Huila, Colombia
See on a map
Recommended Brewing Method
Espresso (milk based) , Espresso (black) , Fruity Filter , French Press , Aeropress , Cold Brew , Pour Over
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An Exceptional Find

Rare, experimental lots in tiny quantities. These unique finds are never restocked.

How Much Do You Need?

Fast Belfast Hub Dispatch & Delivery
  • Order by 11:00 AM Mon–Fri for same-day dispatch directly from our Belfast hub (1–2 day delivery via UPS).
  • Free shipping over €30.
  • Express delivery available. Shipping details
Weight   Availability Price per kg Total Price Price per kg
Best Seller
0.5kg   4 left €45,90/kg €22,95
€45,90/kg
1kg   7 left €40,95/kg €40,95
€40,95/kg
Best Value
5kg   3 left €35,39/kg €176,95
€35,39/kg

Looking to access wholesale pricing?

Want to sample before you purchase?

Type Total Price Total Price
50g Unroasted Sample €4,95
30g Roasted Sample €7,95

Roasted samples are roasted using the most suitable representative profiles and may delay delivery.

Warehoused in EU 🇪🇺

No additional duty or tax to pay

Pay in your preferred currency

We support +30 currencies

Buy now, pay later

Relaxed payment terms to suit you

Our Guarantees

Quality Guaranteed

If quality doesn’t match the listing, we’ll refund or credit you – no fuss. Read more

Sealed Securely, Delivered Quickly

We ship quickly in secure, specially designed, sealed packaging to keep your green coffee fresh. Read more

Transparency You Can Trust

We share full harvest, origin, and quality info up front - no vague claims or guesswork.

Quality Control

All checks passed
Water Activity
0.52aw

Target < 0.65

Moisture
10.4%

Target 10-12%

Bean Density
616g/L

Processing Detail

Harvesting

Hand Picked

Selective hand-picking of ripe cherries.

Floating

Under-Ripe Removed

Removal of under-ripe and defective fruit by floatation.

Cherry fermentation

48 hrs

Cherries fermented in sealed bags for 48 hours.

Depulping & fermentation

48 hrs

Depulped and held in food grade plastic drums for a further 48 hours of fermentation.

Washing

75% Mucilage

Coffee is washed, leaving approximately 75% of the mucilage intact.

Drying

10 days

Dried on raised African beds for 10 days.

Roast Profiles

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Meet your producer

Name Santiago Noriega Bourbon Ají
Location Cultivares Farm, Huilia, Colombia See on a map

Cultivares Farm is a family-led project run by Santiago Noriega, a young coffee producer from Tarqui, Huila, Colombia. Raised in a coffee-producing family, Santiago grew up around both farm life and the commercial wet coffee trade through his parents, Aldemar and Diana Noriega.

After a crisis in 2001 forced the family out of the commercial coffee trade, they relocated to Pitalito, where Santiago enrolled at SENA, Colombia's national vocational training institute, and discovered his passion for coffee. He went on to work at several coffee companies before returning to SENA as an instructor in cupping, barista skills and roasting. After five years of teaching, Santiago chose to focus entirely on his own farm, bringing his family into the project and applying his knowledge to produce differentiated coffees from exotic varieties using traditional methods.

Pairing Flavour with Music

Meet your sourcing partner

Mi Cafe

Countries of operation Colombia
Established date 2022

Mi Café is a speciality coffee importer focused on rare Colombian lots, sourcing directly from producers like Wilton Benitez, Edinson Argote and El Jaragual. Led by Jonny, the company champions experimental processes and uncommon varietals, bringing purpose-driven coffees from farm to roastery.

Regular price €22,95 EUR
Sale price €22,95 EUR Regular price
Cupping Score
89.0
Processing Method
Honey
Varietal
Bourbon Ají
Main Flavour Notes
Mango | Papaya | Coconut
View full details

Warehoused in EU 🇪🇺

No additional duty or tax to pay

Pay in your preferred currency

We support +30 currencies

Buy now, pay later

Relaxed payment terms to suit you

Discover Rare, Single-Origin Green Coffee in Small Batches

Sample lots from top producers across Ethiopia, Colombia, and beyond — starting at just 0.5kg. No large commitments, no compromise on quality.

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    Dan Neale

    My absolute no1 place to get my small quantities of green coffee. Service is impeccable and the price is very very fair. For a small batch roastery this was one of our biggest point to navigate but the Green Coffee Collective made this a nothing thing for us now.

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    Carlos Costa

    Very nice service! Great super high quality coffee at a very fair price! Will buy again for sure!

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    Gordon D

    Highly recommend the Green Coffee Collective for all your raw green unroasted coffee beans. I’ve been buying from this company for a few months now, buying generally in 1Kg batches.The choice is amazing. I’ve had first class service, with great communication and speedy dispatch of all orders.

How we package
our coffees

Barrier packaging designed for specialty coffee.

We use Ecotact bags because they offer high-barrier protection against oxygen, moisture, and external contaminants. This helps preserve the quality, aroma, and flavour potential of your green coffee during transport and storage. They're trusted by top producers and importers worldwide.

Heat-Sealed for Maximum Protection

Every bag is professionally heat sealed at our warehouse to lock in freshness. This creates a secure seal that prevents exposure to air or humidity - keeping your green coffee stable, even over long periods.

Convenient Resealable Zip Closures

Once opened, each bag has a resealable zip to help you store and protect the rest of your coffee between roasts. It’s a simple way to reduce waste and maintain freshness - especially helpful for home roasters or sampling.

Portion sizes for any roaster.

Whether you're roasting at home or running a production line, we've got a size to suit. Choose from 0.5kg, 1kg, or 5kg bags - all packed with the same level of care. Smaller volumes make it easy to try new coffees without the commitment.

Responsible packaging choices.

Our bags are made from Graded 7 multi-layer recyclable plastic. While they may not go in your home recycling bin, they are accepted by specialist facilities. More importantly, they reduce waste by dramatically extending the shelf life of your green coffee.

Frequent Questions

Is your coffee unroasted?

Yes – all the coffee we sell is raw, unroasted green coffee unless clearly marked as a roasted sample. It might sound obvious, but it's one of the most common questions we get! If you're buying from us, you're getting green coffee ready for roasting.

How long does delivery take, and can I track my order?

We usually pack and dispatch orders within 1–2 working days. Once it’s on the move, you’ll get a tracking link so you can follow it all the way to your door.

For UK and EU deliveries, most orders arrive within 2–5 working days. International shipping can take a little longer depending on customs, but we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

If you need your coffee urgently, you can select an express shipping option at checkout.

How does your quality guarantee work?

We stand by every coffee we offer — if the quality doesn’t match the listing, we’ll refund or credit you. No fuss.

We work directly with specialty producers and sourcing partners who are deeply connected to their regions. Every coffee is selected based on quality, transparency, and value — and we always share the details up front, from processing to cupping scores.

If something feels off when your coffee arrives, just get in touch. We’ll put it right, every time.

Will I need to pay customs duties or taxes?

No. If you’re ordering from the UK or the Europe, there are no customs charges or hidden fees.

We ship UK orders from our UK warehouse and EU orders from our EU-based warehouse, so everything stays within the region.

For UK customers, the price you see on the product page is the final price.

For EU customers, VAT rates vary by country, so your final price (including the correct local VAT) is shown clearly at the final step of checkout before you pay.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), plus PayPal. You can also use gift cards at checkout. If your gift card doesn’t cover the full amount, you can easily top it up with another payment method.

How does your pricing work?

We keep our pricing simple, transparent, and fair. What you see on the product page is the final price per bag - no hidden fees, no surprises at checkout.

Prices are based on the coffee's quality, variety, processing method, and how it's sourced. We offer multiple sizes (from 0.5kg to 5kg), with smaller sizes priced to include repacking and packaging costs. Shipping is free, and VAT is already included in the price you see.

Do you offer any roasting advice for green coffee?

Absolutely. We work with roasters of all levels – from complete beginners to seasoned pros – and we’re always happy to share what we know.

You’ll find starter tips and roast profiles on our blog, or you can drop us a message if you’ve got questions about a specific coffee. A medium roast is usually a great place to start - it gives you a balanced view of the coffee’s flavour, and you can adjust from there.

What is your return policy if I'm not satisfied with the coffee do you offer any guarantees?

We want you to be happy with every coffee you try. If something doesn’t feel right - whether it’s a quality issue or your order isn’t what you expected - just get in touch. We’ll always do our best to put it right, whether that means a replacement, refund, or store credit.

Is there any customer support available if I have questions after purchasing or if something goes wrong?

Definitely. We’re here to help before, during, and after your order. If you have any questions about your coffee, roasting, or if something’s gone wrong with your delivery, just reach out. We’re a small team, but we’re quick to reply and always happy to sort things out.

You can contact us by email (hello@greencoffeecollective.com) or through the form on our website whatever works best for you.

What do your flavour notes mean?

Flavour notes describe the natural characteristics found in the coffee - shaped by things like variety, processing, and how it’s cultivated.

You might notice hints of chocolate, red fruit, florals or citrus. These aren’t added flavours - they’re subtle notes that come through when a coffee is grown, processed, and roasted with care. We include detailed origin info and flavour profiles on every product page to help you choose the right coffee for your taste.

Can I sample the coffee before purchasing?

Yes - we offer samples for nearly all of our coffees. There’s a small fee to cover the cost of packaging, green coffee, and prep, but it’s a great way to try before committing to a larger order.

Samples may not be available on limited-release or rare coffees due to low stock. If you’re unsure, just get in touch - we’re happy to help you find the right fit.

Unfortunately we can't offer samples in the EU yet.

How does the Cupping Score translate into taste or quality?

The cupping score is a quality grading system used by coffee professionals. It’s based on how a coffee tastes in a controlled tasting — looking at things like sweetness, balance, acidity, and complexity.

80–84 = Clean and consistent with good flavour — great everyday coffees.

85–87 = More complexity, distinct flavours, and refined sweetness.

88+ = Exceptional – rare, expressive coffees with standout characteristics.

Scores help you understand what to expect in the cup, but taste is personal. We include flavour notes and process details on every product page to help you find what suits your style best.

What’s the best way to brew this coffee once it’s roasted?

That depends on the coffee and how you like to drink it — but most of our coffees will shine as a filter brew (like V60, Chemex, or batch brew) or as a single origin espresso.

We’ve grouped our coffees into helpful collections like Espresso, Fruity Filter, and Cold Brew to guide you toward the right fit. Once roasted, feel free to experiment - you’ll quickly discover what brings out the best in each bean.