Daniel Caro Lopez

Daniel Caro Lopez is a young, second-generation coffee producer operating in the Guintar region of Anzá, Antioquia, Colombia. He manages Finca El Tambo, a 33-hectare property where approximately 5 hectares are dedicated to coffee cultivation. The farm is distinguished by its extreme elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level, a factor that plays a critical role in the development of the coffee cherries grown there.

The primary focus of El Tambo is the cultivation of the Chiroso variety. While the exact origins of how this specific variety arrived and became established in this particular region of Colombia remain a subject of ongoing inquiry, it has become the hallmark of the Caro family's production. Daniel and his father initially attempted to grow Chiroso on a lower-elevation farm without achieving the desired results, leading them to shift their focus to the higher, cooler climate of El Tambo.

In practice, the production at El Tambo emphasizes precision and quality control. The coffee is hand-picked at peak ripeness and subjected to a rigorous processing protocol. This typically involves floating the cherries to remove defects, de-pulping on the day of harvest, and an extended underwater fermentation period—often lasting up to 80 hours—before the coffee is dried on raised beds until it reaches a target moisture content of approximately 10%.

This meticulous approach has garnered attention from specialty roasters, most notably SEY Coffee, which has featured Daniel Caro Lopez’s harvests in multiple consecutive seasons. These collaborations are often facilitated by export partners such as The Coffee Quest, who work with producers in the region to highlight the unique cup profile of the Chiroso variety, which is frequently described as having a yellow tropical profile with notes of tamarind and rose.

Beyond the primary Chiroso crop, the farm also maintains a small garden of Gesha, indicating a commitment to diversifying high-value varieties. The success of El Tambo serves as a case study in how specific microclimates and variety-focused agricultural practices can elevate the output of a smallholder farm, allowing producers to access premium specialty markets that value traceability and distinct sensory characteristics.

As a second-generation farmer, Daniel Caro Lopez represents a new wave of Colombian producers who are leveraging technical knowledge and direct trade relationships to refine their craft. His work at El Tambo continues to be a focal point for roasters interested in the potential of the Chiroso variety, and his ongoing development of the farm remains a subject of interest for those tracking high-altitude coffee production in Antioquia.