FARAMI was founded in 1983 by Don Juan Luis Fallas and Maria Eugenia Ramirez (FaRaMi) by the purchase of a finca of 3.5 ha. Initially coffee as well as other agricultural products were offered. The farm grew steadily achieving in 2013 third place in the Cup of Excellence competition. Today the finca covers nearly 15 ha.
On my arrival Don Juan kindly showed me the Geisha cherries just harvested on raised beds after preparation for honey fermentation. Don Juan gave me some beans in pergamino to taste. These had a fantastic honey-sweet taste with a light fruity-acidity reminiscent of strawberries. I was very happy to share his evident happiness in the high quality of the harvest.
The focus is now solely on specialty coffee. New processing equipment has been installed including a roasting facility which is dedicated to the production of speciality coffee, largely for export but also as roasted coffee for the home market. Export is now organised by Honeyland Company, led by Juan Jose Ulate and Liselle Fallas Exports go to Japan, France and other companies, not yet to Germany. I hope to be able to change this, the German market is missing a first class product. Maybe the new harvest, which I will follow will be an opportunity in 2025. I hope so.
This is part of an ongoing series exploring coffee fincas and their approaches to production, innovation, and sustainability in the face of changing times