Nestor Lasso | Colombia
Country of origin : Colombia - Huila, Pitalito
Farm : El Diviso
Cultivar : Bourbon Aji
Finish : Washed
Altitude : 1750 meters above sea level.
Flavor notes : Lemongrass, mint, elderflower
Roast : Light
Cup score: 89
Six years ago, Nestor Lasso and his brother Adrian took over the family business and consciously chose a different path than their parents: instead of producing coffee for the mass market, they wanted to focus on specialty coffee and experimental processing methods. Today, at just 23 and 25 years old, the two brothers have joined forces with Jhoan Vergara, also the son of a coffee farmer, and together they founded El Diviso. El Diviso unites the two family businesses El Diviso (Nestor and Adrian Lasso) and Las Flores (Jhoan Vergara) near the town of Pitalito in Huila, Colombia. This partnership has allowed them to pool their knowledge and continuously improve the quality of their coffees.
Three years ago, an intensive process began for the three producers and Cat & Pierre, founders of Cata Export (from whom we, Südseite, source our coffee): Through numerous trial-and-error cycles, they worked on fermentation protocols and processing methods to bring these coffees directly to the European market. This path was time-consuming and expensive, but worthwhile – today, these coffees are used in numerous barista competitions across Europe and recently won 1st place at the Brewers Cup in Ireland and 3rd place in Austria.
Today, Cata Export and Finca El Diviso work as a close team. That's why Cat doesn't travel to the UK alone, but together with Nestor, to visit all the roasters that have joined them on this journey. The friendship between Cat and Nestor exemplifies Cata Export's work: direct collaboration with the farms is not only professionally enriching – whether in agronomic matters or quality assurance – but also enables the development of long-term relationships. This creates economic opportunities for the Cata community and gives young producers like Nestor the chance to build a sustainable career in coffee.
Nestor's words:
Growing up in the picturesque Vereda Normandia region, not far from the town of Pitalito in southern Huila, I was surrounded from a young age by our family's vast coffee plantations. This idyllic region, renowned for its rich coffee tradition, offered me a childhood filled with carefree days spent playing under the wide sky, hidden among the shades of nature. It was a time of joy and togetherness in a community where everyone knew each other and a sense of security was ever-present.
Despite the beauty and tranquility that surrounds my home, life as a coffee producer comes with its challenges. Pay is often low, and the hard work on the plantations holds little appeal for many young people. Many choose a life away from the fields, seeking less strenuous jobs in the city, driven by the hope of a better life. But for me, the true value lay not solely in material gain. My passion for coffee and its production is deeply rooted in my soul.
Discovering specialty coffee as a path to economic development and personal fulfillment opened new horizons for me. I immersed myself in the study of coffee production, fascinated by the endless possibilities that arise from refining the processes. Thanks to close collaboration with Cat and Pierre, as well as the insights offered by social media, I began to understand how our coffee finds its way to enthusiasts in Europe.
Cat, an invaluable mentor, opened the world of cupping to me. She taught me the art of recognizing and evaluating quality, perceiving the subtle nuances of flavor, and understanding the impact of our work on every cup of coffee. This ability to grasp the sensory aspects of our efforts became a cornerstone of our success.
On this journey, which extends far beyond coffee cultivation, I've realized that true passion is the key. It drives us to push boundaries, dare to try new things, and ultimately produce a coffee that not only secures our livelihood but also wins the hearts of people worldwide.