A second-generation producer from San Agustín, Huila, Angel Ortega began his journey as a teenager tending to just 700 trees alongside his family. By 1985, at age 24, he struck out on his own, planting 10,000 Colombia-variety trees in the Kennedy zone—an area then considered too arid for coffee and plagued by heavy soil erosion during the summer rains.

Despite the environmental challenges, Don Angel remembers those early decades with nostalgia. In the 1980s, the lack of modern pests like roya (leaf rust) meant coffee could be grown naturally without the expensive, multi-annual chemical fertilizers required today. Although he originally sold his coffee en verde (undried) and faced limited market options, the lower cost of living and high farm productivity made coffee growing a more profitable venture than in recent years.

The Path to Specialty Coffee

Don Angel’s transition toward the specialty market began in 2000 when he joined a local union to learn high-grade production. While this opened doors to European markets, his harvest was hidden in anonymous blends for years. It wasn’t until 2018 that he finally sold a micro-lot under his own name.

A New Chapter with Monkaaba and Semilla

Seeking a more personal connection to the industry, Don Angel has recently partnered with Monkaaba and Semilla. This collaboration ensures he receives the highest prices of his career paid upfront, while finally bridging the gap between his farm and the final roaster. For Don Angel, it is a chance to continue refining his quality while knowing exactly where his life’s work is being enjoyed.