3) You'll learn everything about the wonderful world of coffee! In Colombia, coffee is not just a drink, it's a cultural heritage and a source of pride. We'll guide you through the fascinating journey of coffee, from the moment it's picked to the point where it reaches your cup. But we'll also try several preparations methods to discover the different flavours and notes created within the coffee, using the same amount of water and same amount of coffee beans, just by changing the method. Amazing!! This is the process we will see: PICKING: The journey begins when coffee pickers carefully select only the ripest coffee cherries. These cherries have a deep, rich red colour, indicating that they are ready to be harvested. DEPULPING: Once the cherries are picked, they need to be processed to extract the coffee beans. This is where the depulping stage comes in. The cherries are fed into a machine that removes the outer skin and flesh, revealing the precious coffee beans inside. Next...

FERMENTING: After the coffee cherries have been depulped, they go through a process called fermentation. This step is essential for enhancing the flavours of the coffee beans. The depulped beans, still coated with some of the fruit's pulp, are placed in fermentation tanks or barrels. Enzymes naturally present in the fruit's pulp work their magic, breaking down any remaining mucilage and adding complexity to the coffee's flavour profile. It's like marinating the beans in a special sauce, allowing them to develop their unique taste characteristics. WASHING: After fermenting our chosen time, the coffee beans still have some sticky residue on them, called mucilage. To get rid of this, the beans are washed thoroughly with water. This helps to clean and prepare them for the next steps. It's like giving the beans a refreshing shower to ensure they're squeaky clean.

DRYING: Now it's time for the coffee beans to dry out. They are spread out in thin layers on large patios or raised beds to soak up the warm sun. As they dry, the beans gradually lose their moisture content and develop their unique flavours. THRESING: Once the beans are dry, they are ready for the threshing process. This involves removing the outer parchment layer that protects the beans. Machines or traditional methods are used to separate the beans from the parchment. ROASTING: Ah, the final and most exciting step! The green coffee beans are carefully roasted to perfection. This is where the magic happens, as the beans undergo a transformation and release their incredible aromas and flavours. Roasting is an art that requires precise temperature control and expertise. The beans turn from green to brown, and their flavours develop depending on the roast level. It's like toasting a marshmallow over a campfire, witnessing its colour change and savouring the delicious result.

And there you have it! From the moment the coffee cherries are picked to the point where they are transformed into the fragrant beans we know and love, the journey is filled with care, craftsmanship, and passion. So, next time you sip a cup of Colombian coffee, remember the intricate process behind it and savour every sip of this remarkable drink.