Cataleya

If you’ve been following along with our stories and posts, you’ll remember that we recently invited you to help us choose our next guest bean.

The poll brought a mix of opinions — a few close contenders, some expected favourites — but the winning vote settled with a certain clarity: Colombia, Huila.

A bright, tropical pick for December, chosen by you. And in the midst of the dull, heavy-weather days we’re moving through, this feels like the kind of warmth we could all use.

You’ll notice we’ve named this week’s journal Cateleya, after Colombia’s national flower.

It’s a symbol of resilience and colour — an orchid known not only for its beauty, but for the quiet strength it carries.

There’s something poetic about pairing this flower with Huila, a region defined by altitude and volcanic soil, where coffee grows on slopes that meet clouds and morning fog before the sun breaks through.

Both the flower and the bean are shaped by landscape, patience, and hands that understand the slow work of cultivation.

Coffees from Huila often share a distinctive clarity: citrus-bright acidity, soft fruit tones, and a sweetness that never overwhelms but lingers gently, almost thoughtfully.

With this selection, you might notice the brightness first — a kind of crisp, refreshing lift — followed by deeper notes that unfold slowly as the cup cools.

Berry-like hints, a touch of apple, maybe something caramel or honeyed around the edges.

And then, that soft florality that inspired the name: subtle, elegant, never perfumed, just a gentle reminder of the orchid whose spirit sits behind this month’s story.

December can be heavy. The days are shorter, the light thinner, and everything seems to ask for a little more energy, a little more intention.

A cup like this — bright, warm, expressive without being overpowering — feels like a small act of grounding.

A moment of escape, even if just through the scent rising from a mug on a cold morning..

There is also something meaningful about this being a community choice..

Each month, we explore new origins and new profiles, but when a bean is chosen collectively, it carries a different kind of energy — one shaped by curiosity, conversation, and shared taste.

It becomes less about what we decide to offer, and more about what you want to discover with us. And we love that.

It brings a sense of togetherness to something as simple as a cup of coffee.

For December, we’ll be brewing Huila with intention.

Keeping the methods clean and considered — from pour-over and filter brews that let its brightness open gently, to espresso extractions that bring out its deeper fruit notes and caramel-like sweetness.

Whether served as a slow, contemplative cup or as the base of a latte or flat white, the aim is the same: no unnecessary distractions. Just clarity, craft, and presence.

As we close the year and settle into these quieter, reflective weeks, Cateleya feels like the right companion — colourful in spirit, grounded in origin, and shaped by the people who gather with us month after month.

A small reminder that even in winter’s stillness, there are bright things worth noticing.

So, come take your time with it. Sit with it. Let it warm the cold edges of the day, even just for a moment.