Producer: Luis Marcelino Farm: Veci Project Location: Pitalito, Hulia Variety: Bourbon Aji Process: Hydro Honey Altitude: 1,600 masl. Luis Marcelino, from Portugal, started Aroma Nativo in 2019 in Huila, Colombia, focusing on natural and experimental processing. His coffees have been used by top finishers in global competitions. The Veci Project, implemented in 2022, helps local farmers improve coffee quality and earn better returns through education on cultivation and post-harvest processing. The Aji variety, genetically an Ethiopian landrace, is locally named for its chili pepper-like appearance and flavor. For this lot, ripe, handpicked Aji cherries underwent anaerobic fermentation, then pulping. After partial drying, the coffee was rehydrated with selected yeast and bacteria for specific microbial activity, then sun-dried for 12 days.