FUDAM - La Union, Nariño, Colombia.
A Classic Profile, Elevated
Some coffees remind us why we fell in love with coffee in the first place. FUDAM - La Unión from Nariño, Colombia, is one of those rare gems. It delivers a rich, crowd-pleasing experience without sacrificing complexity—something we don’t often come across. If you already enjoy our RUCA house blend and are ready to venture into the realm of single-origins, you may want to try a coffee that is just a touch more elevated, and this is it. Expect a dense, layered sweetness with notes of caramel, brown sugar, cola, stewed apple and pear, and candied nuts. It’s smooth, approachable, reliable, and full of flavor—one you’ll want to return to time and time again.
Colombian Coffee at Its Best
Colombia has long been recognized for producing some of the best coffee in the world, thanks to its high altitudes, volcanic soil, and ideal climate. Nariño, in particular, is one of the country's most exciting coffee-growing regions. Unlike other parts of Colombia where farms sit higher than nearby towns, Nariño's unique geography places its farms at slightly lower elevations, nestled between rugged peaks. This distinct environment contributes to the coffee's remarkable sweetness and clarity.
Sustainable Farming & The FUDAM Cooperative
FUDAM (Fundación Agraria y Ambiental Para el Desarrollo Sostenible) is a cooperative of over 300 smallholder farmers committed to sustainable, organic coffee farming. Founded in 2000 by just seven producers, FUDAM has grown into a beacon of environmentally conscious coffee cultivation. Despite pressures to rely on chemical inputs, FUDAM’s members remain steadfast in their organic practices, believing that sustainability is not just a choice but a way of life.
The Process & Varietals
This particular lot is made up of Castillo and Caturra varietals, two of Colombia’s most well-known coffee cultivars. Castillo, developed by CENECAFE, is prized for its resilience and high yield, while Caturra is known for its bright acidity and balanced sweetness. The coffee is fully washed, a meticulous process that enhances its clarity and refined sweetness. After being picked, cherries are de-pulped and dry-fermented for 16–24 hours before undergoing multiple washes. Drying methods vary—some use traditional parabolic or small “casa elbas” drying structures, while others rely on mechanical dryers for a more controlled process. Depending on the method, drying can take anywhere from 25 hours to 15 days.
A Testament to Quality and Responsibility
Certified organic and Fair Trade, FUDAM - La Unión represents a level of quality and ethical responsibility that’s still relatively rare in Colombian coffee. Fair Trade and organic-certified coffees require rigorous standards, and producers who achieve these certifications are deeply committed to their communities and the environment. Every year, we seek out more coffees from cooperatives like FUDAM, and we continue to be impressed by their dedication and the outstanding quality they produce. This is not just a coffee—it’s a testament to sustainable farming, community-driven progress, and a timeless flavor profile that never gets old.