Yessica Moreno, Finca El Rosel

The Details
Country: Colombia
Producer: Yessica Moreno
Farm: Finca El Rosel
Varietal: Chiroso
Process: Washed
Notes: Raspberry, Orange Blossom, Peach Tea

Set high in the rolling green mountains of Urrao, Antioquia, Yessica Moreno’s farm, Finca El Rosal, feels less like a production site and more like a living inheritance. At nearly 1,950 meters above sea level, the air is thin and cool, the landscape quiet and deliberate—conditions that slow the ripening of coffee cherries and deepen their character. Moreno, a second-generation producer, has shaped this smallholding into a family-run ecosystem, where each member plays a role: her husband guiding the rhythms of the land, her son learning the language of processing, and Moreno herself at the center, refining each harvest with care and precision. 

Her Chiroso is a reflection of both place and curiosity. A relatively rare variety in Colombia, Chiroso is believed to trace its lineage to Ethiopian landraces, carrying with it an almost unexpected elegance—floral, lifted, and quietly complex. Through meticulous washed processing, including extended fermentations of up to 84 hours, Moreno draws out a profile that feels both vivid and composed. The cup unfolds, revealing layers of ripe berries, soft stone fruit, and delicate florals, all carried by a clarity that speaks to careful handling at every stage. 

What emerges is not simply a coffee, but a sense of continuity—of knowledge passed down and reshaped in the present. Moreno’s work is still unfolding, her farm modest in scale yet expansive in ambition, with plans to cultivate even more expressive varieties in the years ahead. Her Chiroso captures a moment within that journey: a coffee that is bright, articulate, and quietly expressive, carrying with it the altitude, the family, and the evolving vision of a producer deeply rooted in her craft.

This is an incredibly complex coffee; aromatically it’s bursting with florals reminding me of orange blossoms and jasmine. In the cup, the floral notes are prevalent yet supported by a delightful fruitiness of raspberry, and a delicate peach tea note as well. 

Preface Notes; or, Why We Chose This Coffee

Last year, I received a text from Coffee Quest saying that they had a Caturra that scored around 87. ‘Straight up strawberry’ was the flavor description. This Caturra came from Yessica Moreno, and it was one of my favorite coffees of 2025. Yessica Moreno is a fabulous producer operating a relatively small farm yielding micro-lots in the true sense of the word. 

I first came across Yessica while working as a barista, and in particular her Chiroso always left an impression. Chiroso is a unique varietal, often described as ‘Colombia’s Gesha’ for its floral and fruity flavor profiles, and Yessica’s was among the first Chirosos that I had ever tried. It continues to set the standard for me when sourcing Chirosos. If you had an opportunity to try Maria Rodriguez Chiroso from Finca Betania that we released last year and enjoyed that, then this one is for you. 

Beyond the coffee, I’m always eager to source coffees from women-led farms. Yessica is, in my opinion, among the best producers in Colombia, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible for women producers in the country. The significance of this takes a personal turn for me as a father of a 20 month old daughter who I hope will have the freedom and opportunities to pursue her passions and interests regardless of her gender.