Luis Castro (Tacho) came to meet me at the beneficio Juanachute after I arrived which I much appreciate. We looked around the mill where over 1000 fanegas are processed every year. I am looking forward to my next visit when the now quiet plant will be busy and the raised beds full of cherries.
Depending on the cherries, the appropriate processing method is chosen for high quality lots and micro lots. Micro lots are often tailored to the requirements of the buyer. Sales to many countries around the world include Germany. Tacho also owns his cafe in the center of San Pedro. This is a must go stop for anyone wanting a barista brewed cup of coffee.. If you are lucky, you may take part in a cupping course or a session.
This is truly coffee from the seedling to the cup. Discerning buyers and customers have the chance to buy or try coffees made the way the producers have in mind while caring for the plants and processing. Though icafe does great work in defining standards, this does lead to exactly that, a good but somehow standardised range of tastes. Just as wine experts go to wineries for tastings, maybe soon discerning coffee buyers will go to individual producers to experience the product grown, processed and roasted without change of hands.
This is part of an ongoing series exploring coffee fincas and their approaches to production, innovation, and sustainability in the face of changing times