La Piragua Striped Bourbon: What to Expect in the Cup
By Kiss the Hippo Coffee | London's Premier Specialty Coffee Roastery | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Product Reviews
A natural Colombian single origin with black cherry, melon and cacao. Here is what the Striped Bourbon variety tastes like and how to brew it.
Quick answer
Expect a fruit-forward natural coffee: black cherry and melon up front, with cacao in the finish. Buy it if you like expressive, sweet single origins; skip it if you prefer clean, tea-like washed profiles.
Why this natural process tastes the way it does
The double fermentation is the key difference here. Arley Vargas lets the fruit develop in stages before drying, which pushes the cherry and melon notes forward and gives the cup a heavier, sweeter body than a standard washed Colombian. That intensity is the point, but it also means the coffee rewards careful brewing: too fine a grind or too hot a pour can flatten the fruit into a muddy, bitter cup.
What Striped Bourbon brings to the cup
Striped Bourbon is a Bourbon selection with a distinct striped appearance on the cherry. In this lot, grown between 1,600 and 1,800 masl in Palestina, Huila, the variety's natural sweetness supports the process rather than competing with it. The result is layered rather than simple: cherry first, melon in the middle, cacao on the finish.
La Piragua Striped Bourbon FAQ
- What does La Piragua Striped Bourbon taste like?
- Black cherry and melon lead, with cacao in the finish. The natural double fermentation gives it a round, sweet body rather than a sharp, winey edge.
- Is this coffee fruity or chocolatey?
- Both, but fruit comes first. If you want a straight chocolate-and-nut cup, this is not that coffee; if you like cherry sweetness with a cacao finish, it fits.
- How should I brew it?
- Start with a medium-fine grind and water just off the boil for filter, or a slightly coarser grind for espresso. Keep the dose consistent and adjust grind before changing temperature.
- Which grind should I choose?
- Choose whole bean if you have a grinder at home; choose the grind option that matches your brewer if you do not. Whole bean keeps the fruit notes brighter for longer.
- Is it worth the price?
- At USD 16.75 against a USD 25.00 comparison price, it is a low-risk way to try a competition-style natural Colombian. Buy a smaller bag first if you are unsure about fruit-forward coffees.
Product facts
- Colombia, La Piragua, Striped Bourbon: Natural double fermentation, 1,600–1,800 masl, 2026 Mitaca crop. The natural process and high altitude explain the fruit-forward sweetness and heavier body you should expect.
Colombia, La Piragua, Striped Bourbon
