PHILIPPINES | KALSADA SITIO BELIS GARNICA | WASHED

High in the Cordillera Mountains of Atok, Benguet, natural mountain springs and cool high-altitude conditions create an ideal environment for producing exceptional coffee. Here, seventy-two farming families cultivate the Garnica variety on small farms between 1,400 and 1,700 metres above sea level.

Rather than simply exporting coffee, Kalsada has built a community around quality, investing directly in local processing infrastructure and rewarding producers for excellence. Every cup reflects the unique terroir of the Philippine highlands and the dedication of the families who continue to raise the profile of Philippine specialty coffee on the world stage.

Only perfectly ripe cherries are hand-picked before being floated to remove under-ripe and defective fruit. The cherries are then pulped, fermented, washed and rinsed before being carefully dried on raised beds. This traditional washed process highlights the coffee's clean acidity, vibrant fruit character and silky body while preserving clarity and sweetness.

Founded in 2015, Kalsada was created to showcase the incredible potential of Philippine specialty coffee while improving opportunities for farming communities. Beginning with a Kickstarter-funded community mill in Belis, the project has grown from just a handful of producers to more than 72 farming families.

By investing in modern processing equipment and paying over $1 per pound above Fair Trade prices, Kalsada has helped production grow from just 1.5 tonnes annually to around 11 tonnes, while ensuring farmers receive meaningful financial rewards for producing exceptional coffee.