The Story
The Echavarría family got into the coffee business almost 40 years ago when Pedro Echavarría bought a property and discovered abandoned coffee trees under the forest . Eventually he discovered he had purchased a small part of a great estate called Hacienda Jonás—an almost mythical farm, owned by a very rich and powerful 19th century family . More than 30 years ago, they started growing coffee on an abandoned coffee farm, but over time learned that farming alone wasn’t enough to be economically sustainable .
The transformation began when in 2010, they began exporting green coffee to different parts of the world, gaining access to a fair and sustainable trade chain that recognized quality . Pedro Echavarría Jr, who studied business at Tufts and came back home to help run the family business, later opened the gorgeous coffee bar in Medellín . In 2012, Pedro decided to open his own specialty café in the hip neighborhood of El Poblado, inspired by the roasters they met along the way . The Echavarria family upped the ante for the rest of Medellin’s coffee joints when they hit a caffeine sweet spot with the original Pergamino, quickly becoming one of the benchmarks in the coffee shop industry in Colombia .
Today, the roaster has since opened double digit cafes around Medellín, and recently that count grew to 11 . In the 14 years since that decision, Pergamino has become a leader in vertically integrated coffee businesses, producing, roasting, and serving some of the highest-quality coffees in Colombia . Pergamino recently won the Best Packaging prize in the Origin strand of the Global Coffee Awards , cementing their position as innovators in Colombian specialty coffee.
Sourcing & Relationships
Pergamino now works hand in hand with more than 1,500 allied producers across Colombia , representing one of the most extensive producer networks in the country. By 2014, Pergamino launched its Allied Producers project to forge direct partnerships with small growers, ensuring they could sell their coffee for a fair price in a sustainable, quality-driven supply chain . “Our commitment is to pay premiums every single time we purchase coffee,” emphasizing the importance of fairness and consistency in developing intangibles like loyalty and trust within producer communities .
Pedro’s philosophy is simple: “Farmers don’t need more advice, they just need good prices for their coffee.” His view is that many smallholder farmers in Colombia already know what best farming and processing practices are, but don’t necessarily have the capital to invest into their farm . To maximize the profit they can make on the coffee, Pergamino has chosen not to invest in expensive agronomy or social programs. Instead the team works closely with influential members of the producing communities and visits each region regularly .
These coffees are hand-selected through rigorous cupping processes, ensuring both the physical and sensory quality of the beans . Traceability is a non-negotiable in this model, giving deserved recognition to the producers behind the coffee . Despite obstacles, Pergamino has doubled down on technology, investing in improvements such as advanced colour sorters that enable higher precision in milling to ensure consistency and physical quality .
Roasting Philosophy
At Pergamino, we are artisanal roasters. This means they roast in small batches under the careful oversight of a master roaster, analyzing each batch of green coffee in depth in order to determine the ideal roasting curve for its density, profile and final destination . Specialty coffees, like the ones roasted at Pergamino, are rarely bitter, due to their freshness and light roasting — but they are more intense in aroma, and also can be quite caffeinated .
Unlike most producers in Colombia, they do NOT export all of their best beans. Committed to keeping amazing coffee in the country, they roast locally in small batches — and serve fresh coffee daily, prepared by expert baristas in their Medellín-based specialty shops . Unlike what typically happens in Colombia, some of the best lots are not exported; instead, they roast and serve them in specialty coffee shops in Medellín, or ship them through e-commerce to all of Colombia, the United States, and Canada .
At Pergamino, they use between 18-20 grams of coffee for a 2.5 oz double espresso, always looking for a sweet drink with medium acidity, with favorite origins for espresso brews typically having marked notes of fruit and chocolate . The roastery takes a holistic approach to coffee education, with baristas receiving constant training, not only in the preparation of drinks, but in the entire backstory of their coffees, and how to pass on their unique stories to customers .
What to Try
Finca Lomaverde is Pergamino’s signature coffee, harvested from the company’s own main farm in Santa Bárbara, Antioquia. Grown at 5,400–6,400 feet in the lush mountains south of Medellín, this coffee benefits from warm days and cool nights that nurture the beans slowly to peak sweetness . Sweet and smooth, classic notes of chocolate and caramel, with a subtle citric brightness. Lomaverde is the name of their main farm and signature coffee . At Pergamino, guandolo is a sweet cold brew coffee drink made with café Lomaverde with panela and lemon juice .
Urrao is easily one of the most amazing towns in Antioquia, tucked away in the middle of the cordilleras. This region has both the people and the agronomical conditions—high altitude, lots of rain and volcanic soil— that are needed to produce some of the most special coffees of Colombia. This coffee comes from 30 great producers . Urrao Seasonal is crafted from the Chiroso variety, grown at a soaring 2,000 meters above sea level. This coffee is harvested slowly in the cooler climate, allowing cherries to develop vibrant flavors and exceptional clarity. Expect a profile bursting with stone fruit, floral notes, and tropical sweetness .
Alto de Letras from Tolima is grown in the misty highlands at over 1,800 meters above sea level. With a medium body and vibrant profile, this coffee delivers flavors of red apple, panela, and milk chocolate with a smooth acidity. The cool, volcanic terrain and rich soil contribute to a nuanced cup . Pergamino’s four signature offerings—Finca Lomaverde, Alonso “Fuertecito”, Alto de Letras, and Urrao—represent distinct expressions of Colombian terroir , each showcasing the meticulous attention to quality that has made Pergamino a benchmark for specialty coffee in Colombia and beyond.