New Coffee! Emerson Narváez SL-28

Another must-try coffee! Our new Emerson Narváez SL-28 is velvety and complex with tasting notes of strawberry sauce, honeycrisp apple, candied orange, and white florals. A single origin lot comprised solely of the SL-28 variety, this coffee displays the coveted flavors of the SL-28 variety (originally from Kenya-think fruity, berry forward, currant and wine-like), the terroir of Colombia which often produces ultra sweet, fruity, and floral coffees, and the unique flavors that result from growing practices that are hyper-focused on quality. We don’t know what’s in the air in Colombia but farmers there are knocking it out of the park in terms of innovation and quality in coffee. This coffee is another shining example of what happens when a special coffee variety meets a quality focused grower in a region meant for producing high end coffees. Snag a bag today while supplies last!

Emerson Felipe Narváez is a coffee producer from Cumbitara, Nariño, and a second-generation farmer who’s chosen a somewhat challenging path: producing high-quality specialty coffee in a region often dominated by illegal crops. While many pursue coca for fast and large returns, Emerson is proving that coffee—done right—can be both sustainable and transformative. When Emerson first started, he had only 3.5 hectares of land and almost no resources. People told him growing specialty varieties like Geisha, Sidra, or SL-28 was a waste of time but he saw potential and set about building his coffee farm.

Over time, his coffees began to shine. He placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the “Mi Nariño” competition through out the years which helped him connect with the specialty market and gave him the confidence to buy a second farm, higher up, with no road and no electricity. Today, Finca El Turpial stands as an example of what’s possible with vision and dedication. Emerson’s work is not just about coffee—it’s about reclaiming land, inspiring his community, and proving that high quality and honesty can thrive, even in places where most people said it couldn’t be done.

Learn more about JBC, six time Good Food Award winners and named one of the best coffee roasters in the U.S. by Forbes and Gear Patrol with over 340 90 plus rated coffees at the Coffee Review. Also check out our recent feature in notable coffee publication Fresh Cup recently detailing how we stay relevant 30 years in the making. Tasting Table called us one of 15 best award-winning coffee shops/roasteries to visit in the Midwest, the Chicago Tribune called JBC one of Wisconsin’s standout roasters and the Daily Meal said our espresso will elevate your mornings. We are focused on quality-driven, sustainable coffees.

Unparalleled quality, a human story, and sustainability – that’s our coffee philosophy.

Unparalleled quality. We won’t buy a coffee unless we know that it will inspire you.
A human story. Often times a producer’s story gets lost in the coffee supply chain. It’s our focus to provide a seed to cup experience, honoring everyone involved.
Sustainability. We purchase sustainable coffees directly from producers and through brokers who share our goal of making coffee a sustainable commodity. Financially and environmentally, the coffees we purchase seek balance.