El Recuerdo is a high-elevation washed coffee from Huila, Colombia, grown at approximately 1,800 meters in the municipality of Pitalito. Composed of Caturra and Pink Bourbon varieties, this coffee undergoes extended fermentation before being dried in a covered marquesina. This process results in a clean, expressive profile with vibrant acidity and layered sweetness. As a medium-light roast, it offers a refined balance of citrus brightness and delicate fruit character, with tasting notes of orange, red fruit, and caramel, complemented by a medium body and a clean, lingering finish.
49th Parallel has been a heavyweight in the Vancouver coffee scene since 2004, when brothers Vince and Michael Piccolo set out to bring world-class specialty coffee to the West Coast before it was trendy. They were early pioneers of the direct trade model, which sees them traveling extensively to build face-to-face relationships with farmers. Their roasting style is famous for its consistency and balance; they avoid the ultra-light, acidic "lemon juice" profiles in favor of developing sweetness and body that appeals to both coffee nerds and casual drinkers. It was voted Vancouver’s #1 roastery in 2025.
