A note on processing:
Cherries are picked at peak ripeness and undergo 60 hours of anaerobic fermentation in sealed bags before being depulped. Then they are fermented dry for an additional 36 hours after depulping and then dry on african beds for 25 to 30 days under direct sunlight with a mesh cover to control the amount of sun.
About Efrain (words from the importer Semilla Coffee):
Efrain Márquez and his family have cultivated coffee for generations. His grandfather and father dedicated their entire lives to coffee farming, as coffee is the main crop in their region and the primary source of income for their family. Efrain himself began working with coffee at an early age, helping his father and learning from him since he was ten years old. In 2011, his father passed down a plot of land to him, and with much effort, Efrain managed to plant the area, which now spans three hectares.
As a third-generation coffee grower, Efrain takes pride in carrying on this family tradition. In their community, coffee farming is not only a family legacy but a necessity, as it provides essential income. Efrain’s recent achievement of selling his coffee as a specialty crop motivates him to continue improving the quality of his product, allowing him to secure better prices and better support his family.
For Efrain and his family, coffee farming is a combination of tradition, passion, and necessity. They place their hopes in this crop, as it enables them to generate the income needed to support their families. However, they also face challenges—labor shortages, the impacts of climate change, and low coffee prices have all made their work more difficult.
Variety: Paraninema Farm: La Bendicion Farm size: 3 hectares
Efrain feels that his efforts so far have provided only the essentials for his family. His greatest hope is to give his children a good life, with access to education, health, and nutrition, while maintaining his land and continuing to produce quality coffee.
Despite the obstacles they face, Efrain and his family are resilient. Each day, they work hard to build a better future for their loved ones, and they are grateful to those who enjoy their coffee. They strive to prepare it with care so that others can savor it at home with their families.