Huila Lerusa Estate: Old-Colombian Coffee from 1550m

When you taste a cup of coffee that’s sweet like syrup, balanced, and deeply layered, you might wonder: what farm grew those beans, and how were they processed? In Colombia’s famed Huila region, one estate has been quietly preserving rare coffee varieties and traditional methods despite decades of pressure to modernize.

The Lerusa Estate in Huila grows a blend of 60% old Bourbon and 40% Typica at 1550 meters above sea level, and processes its coffee entirely by sun drying — resulting in sweet, smooth, well-balanced cups with remarkable clarity.

Lerusa Estate: Origins and Heritage

The Lerusa Estate has been operating since 1950, currently managed by the dedicated Ruvasu couple. Over the past 12–13 years, as Colombia promoted high-yield, disease-resistant coffee varieties through national policy — sometimes even mandating the replacement of older strains — Lerusa stood apart. The estate refused to cut down its old Bourbons and Typicas, choosing instead to protect these smaller-yield, more delicate, yet higher-quality varieties.

Growing Practices and Shade Management

To support its shade-loving Bourbons and Typicas, Lerusa plants trees around its coffee plants to filter sunlight. The estate employs meticulous manual practices: no mechanical harvesters or high-speed drying machines. Workers manage pruning, weeding, irrigation, and fertilization with care. This hands-on approach helps maintain the health of the old varieties and contributes to the cup’s complexity.

Sun-Dried Processing for Enhanced Flavour

Rather than using fast, industrial dryers, Lerusa dries its coffee beans in the sun — a slow, labor-intensive method known as sun drying or natural drying. This traditional technique allows the beans to develop deeper sweetness, enhanced acidity, and a more pronounced body. The extended drying period under controlled conditions concentrates flavour without sacrificing balance, resulting in a cup that’s rich, smooth, and harmonious.

Why Old Varieties Still Matter in Huila

Government policy in Colombia has, for years, incentivized replacing traditional coffee varieties with newer, more productive hybrids. Many farms complied. But at Lerusa, the Ruvasu family prioritised quality over quantity. By preserving 60% Bourbon and 40% Typica, the estate produces coffee that might be harder to grow — but delivers a cup profile that’s hard to beat: sweet, balanced, and deeply satisfying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee varieties does Lerusa Estate grow?

Lerusa Estate grows a mix of 60% old Bourbon and 40% Typica — both classic, heritage coffee varieties known for their complexity and cup quality. These are not high-yield modern hybrids, but older strains that require more care.

Where is the Lerusa Estate located?

The Lerusa Estate is located in Huila, Colombia, a region renowned for producing some of Colombia’s best specialty coffee. The farm sits at an elevation of 1550 meters above sea level.

How is the coffee processed at Lerusa Estate?

Lerusa Estate processes its coffee using traditional sun drying (natural drying), avoiding industrial drying machines. This slow method enhances the coffee’s sweetness, acidity, and overall balance.

Why doesn’t Lerusa use modern coffee varieties?

Over the past decade, Colombia has promoted disease-resistant, high-yield coffee varieties. Lerusa chose not to replace its old Bourbons and Typicas, preserving them despite government incentives to cut down these older, more fragile plants.

What makes sun-dried coffee different?

Sun-dried or naturally dried coffee develops more concentrated flavours over a longer drying period. At Lerusa, this method results in sweeter, smoother, and better-balanced cups compared to faster mechanical drying.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans from Huila

For drinkers drawn to the Lerusa Estate’s traditional profile, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Colombia Huila beans. These are grown at high elevations and processed using washed methods, offering notes of chocolate, caramel, and a balanced acidity. Another excellent choice is the FrontStreet Classic Blend, which highlights Colombia’s signature nutty sweetness and smooth body. Both beans showcase the quality and clarity Huila is known for. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.