Alexander Vargas

Alexander Vargas is a well-known name in the municipality of Palestina, specifically in the Los Olivos village. From a very young age, Alexander has been immersed in the world of coffee. At the age of 15, he began his journey in coffee farming, following in the footsteps of his parents, who were also coffee producers on the family farm. This tradition of cultivating coffee has not only been maintained but has evolved significantly over the decades.

Availability
210 kilos
Coffee grower
Alexander Vargas
Notes in cup
Strawberry, Plum, Agave
Origin
Colombia, Huila, Palestina
Varietal
Pink Bourbon
Process
Anaerobic - Washed
Quantity
Locked flat shipping rate of $6.99 (USA territory).
The process
At the age of 20, Alexander decided to take a step further in his career as a coffee grower, dedicating himself to the production of specialty coffees. This decision marked the beginning of a 20-year trajectory in which he has perfected his technique and experimented with various varieties and processes.

His passion for coffee is evident in every aspect of his work, from planting to the drying process. Alexander has been a national finalist in the Cup of Excellence on four occasions, a testament to the quality of his coffee.

Diversifying crops is also a strategy that Alexander has adopted to keep the farm productive throughout the year. In the high part of the farm, he cultivates dragon fruit on approximately two hectares. This crop not only adds variety to his products but also provides him with a complementary activity during periods when coffee production decreases.

Every day, Alexander wakes up with a deep love for his work. Coffee farming is not just his profession but his passion. Every process, every coffee bean, represents an opportunity to improve and exceed expectations. For him, being a coffee grower is a vocation that fills him with pride and satisfaction. This Pink Bourbon lot was fermented in an anaerobic environment for 36 hours before being washed and dried on raised beds for 15 days.

FAQs

Contact us
Why do you exclusively offer Colombian coffees?

From the very beginning of The Boy & The Bear – Coffee Roastery, our mission has been to uphold a commitment to genuine and transparent coffee processes. We take pride in meticulously overseeing the journey from coffee crop to your cup to ensure we serve nothing short of the best. Our dedication extends beyond coffee; it's about sharing our rich Colombian culture with our community. At The Boy & The Bear, it's not just about the specialty Colombian coffees. It's an immersive experience that encapsulates Colombian culture, its vibrant people, spirited music, and everything that embodies the positivity and liveliness of our country. As our founder, Andres Piñeros, beautifully puts it: "The Boy & The Bear – Coffee Roastery is a magical surrealism of the Colombian coffee experience and the culture that surrounds it." We invite you to savor this enchanting journey with us.

When will my ordered coffee be delivered to my doorstep?

At The Boy & The Bear, we're committed to delivering your coffee promptly. Currently, we process and ship all orders Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays ensuring a swift 2-3 day delivery service. Rest assured, your coffees will be freshly roasted just 1 to 4 days before they embark on their journey to your doorstep. We offer a flat-rate shipping fee of $6.99, making it convenient for you, no matter where you are in the US. Your coffee's journey to you is in safe hands!

Perfect brewing recipe for Filter coffee

At the Boy and the Bear, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the industry and having a deeper understanding of coffee extraction.

Utilizing physics and data collected by ourselves and our colleagues, we have come to the conclusion that the ideal ratio for filter is 1 gram for every 17 grams (or milliliters) of water.

Our ideal beverage yield is:
10oz or 295 grams, to achieve this, we use 20 grams of coffee and 340 grams of water.


Since our coffees are a lighter development, we recommend using water in the 201° - 203°F. And remember, the better your water = the better the coffee.

For any further help or questions, email us or visit one of our cafes and ask one of our knowledgeable staff.

Happy sipping!

Perfect brewing recipe for espresso

While espresso can be a more involved extraction, a good starting point for all of our coffees is:

1:2; 1 gram of coffee for every 2 grams (or milliliters) of water.

In the cafes, we currently use 16 grams of coffee for 34 milliliters of extracted coffee at around 30 - 32 seconds in time with ideal water quality.

Since our coffees are a slightly lighter development than most, we recommend using water around 201 - 202°F.

To trouble shoot your espresso extraction, grind your coffee finer if the espresso is sour or coarser if it is bitter to taste. To increase sweetness, increase your yield. To increase body, reduce the yield.

For any further help or questions, email us or visit one of our cafes and ask one of our knowledgeable staff.

Happy sipping!

What is the ideal resting period for brewing our coffees?

When coffee is fresh out of the roasting process, the CO2 retention is at the highest point it could possibly be at. Within the first 4 - 7 days, coffee releases 90% CO2 and 10% nitrogen from the roasting process, making 7 - 14 days off roast the peak consumption time for filter coffee.

Espresso is slightly more forgiving and can still extract incredible flavors up until 6 weeks from the initial roast date.