Our Coffees Colombian Heritage

Nestled in the lush mountains of Huila, Colombia, the municipality of Pitalito is where our prized Dogtown and Halfmoon coffees begin their journey. As the second most populous municipality in Huila, Pitalito boasts the perfect climate for exceptional coffee cultivation - humid with temperatures typically ranging between 64-70°F (18-21°C) throughout most of the year.

What makes these coffees truly special is the region's unique "cold season" during May, June, and July, when temperatures dip to 54-57°F (12-14°C) This temperature variation creates the ideal stress conditions for coffee cherries to develop their complex flavor profiles that have made our Dogtown and Halfmoon offerings customer favorites.

Motif Roasters Dogtown & Halfmoon Coffees

Both our Dogtown and Halfmoon coffees are sourced exclusively from small, family-owned farms perched at elevations of 1,500-1,800 meters above sea level in the Pitalito region. These coffees represent our commitment to showcasing Colombia's distinctive micro-climates and extraordinary flavor profiles.

The Huila Region

The Huila region consistently produces some of Colombia's most celebrated coffees. Its proximity to the equator combined with volcanic soil creates optimal growing conditions that yield distinctly delicate cup profiles.

Coffees from this region are renowned for their:

Bright, sweet acidity
Exceptional sweetness
Fragrant, intense aromas
Fruit and caramel flavor notes

Huila follows a dual harvest schedule:

Main Crop: September through December
Mitaca (Flying) Crop: April through June

This ensures we can offer fresh Colombian coffee year-round, with each harvest bringing its own subtle seasonal characteristics.

Understanding Quality Coffee

These Pitalito coffees are officially recognized as "Excelso" by Colombia's Coffee Federation - essentially Colombia's seal of approval for exceptional coffee. In everyday terms, this means:

These are premium, hand-selected beans
Only the properly sized, mature beans make the cut
Each batch passes rigorous quality inspections
Expert coffee tasters have given these beans high marks for flavor

Think of it as the difference between regular store-bought tomatoes and prize-winning heirloom tomatoes from a local farm - they're simply in a different league.

Both Dogtown and Halfmoon are prepared using what coffee folks call the "washed method." Here's what that means for your coffee experience:

After farmers carefully pick the coffee cherries (yes, coffee beans actually come from fruit!), they:

Sort them in water to keep only the perfectly ripe ones
Remove the fruit flesh, revealing the seeds (what we call coffee beans)
Allow natural fermentation to clean off any remaining fruit
Slowly dry the beans to just the right moisture level

This careful cleaning process is why these coffees have such pure, clean flavors that showcase their Colombian origin. It's like the difference between tasting an apple's natural flavor versus apple pie - both are delicious, but the washed process lets you experience the coffee's true character.

The Coffee Legacy

Colombia's coffee heritage runs deep, with over half a million families dedicating their livelihoods to producing exceptional coffee on small farms throughout the country's volcanic mountain ranges. As the world's third-largest coffee producer, Colombia offers an unparalleled variety of flavor profiles.

We work with Volcafe Way with their farmer support program, their building of relationships allows Motif Roasters to secure the finest beans while ensuring fair compensation for the families who pour their passion into every harvest.

Experience Colombia's Finest

Whether you choose our bold and comforting Dogtown or the brighter and expressive Halfmoon, you're experiencing the culmination of generations of Colombian coffee expertise, Pitalito's perfect growing conditions, and our meticulous roasting process.