From Colombia to Laconia: Rare specialty coffee arrives in Lakes Region

LACONIA — A mother-daughter team is bringing an extraordinary taste of Colombia’s coffee heritage straight to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Clarena’s Coffee, a premium specialty roaster celebrated for its decade-long commitment to sustainable sourcing, recently announced the upcoming Thursday launch of its newest single-origin coffee, La María. Carefully cultivated and meticulously processed, the release offers coffee lovers a rare opportunity to experience an exceptionally vibrant and layered cup that showcases the remarkable flavor potential of Colombia’s cloud forest coffees.

Grown at 5,250 feet above sea level in the mountain terroir of Titiribí, Antioquia, Colombia, La María is produced from hand-picked Red Castillo and Yellow Castillo cultivars. Following harvest, the coffee undergoes a meticulous 78-hour dry anaerobic fermentation in sealed GrainPro bags before being slowly sun-dried for 25 to 30 days. The result is a creamy, expressive coffee bursting with notes of tropical fruit and ripe plum, complemented by sparkling champagne-like acidity and a lingering finish of rich dark cocoa. The cup delivers a remarkable balance of brightness, sweetness, and complexity that evolves with every sip. To highlight its unique character, La María will be offered in light, medium, and dark roast profiles.

The launch honors the legacy of Finca La María, a family coffee farm that has been producing exceptional coffees since 1945. For generations, the property has remained in the hands of the same family, preserving both agricultural knowledge and a deep connection to the land. In 2013, current producer Adolfo Taborda and his wife, Zoé, made the decision to leave an estate they managed several hours away and return permanently to the farm where Adolfo was raised. Today, alongside their daughter Lorena, the Taborda Cortez family cares for approximately 12,000 coffee trees, combining traditional farming practices with environmentally responsible stewardship of the surrounding landscape.

For the past 10 years, the company has carefully selected sustainable farming partners, with a particular focus on supporting women and family-owned agricultural enterprises that are often underrepresented within global coffee markets.

“This launch is a beautiful family affair that bridges our roots in Colombia to our home here in Laconia,” Katharine McKinney, daughter of Founder Clarena McKinney, said. “What makes La María so special is not only the incredible flavor in the cup, but the story behind it. Every sip reflects generations of care, dedication, and my mom’s commitment to transparency and sourcing from family farms. We’re excited to share that experience with our neighbors and fellow coffee lovers throughout New Hampshire.”

La María will be available on June 25 through the Clarena’s Coffee online store. To mark the launch, local residents and subscribers will receive exclusive early access, and all recurring specialty coffee subscription plans will include resident discounts.

For more information, visit clarenascoffee.com.