16 LA MANUELA El Salvador 2023

The farm's soil is generally clay-loam and the minimum average temperature fluctuates between
16.4 to 16.7 Cº and the maximum average fluctuates between 28.5 to 29.1 Cº, depending on
the year. The rain is also fluctuating, in 2022 we received 3,570 mm and in 2021, the driest of
the last 7 years, 2,390 mm were received, the rainiest months being from June to October. Due
to a fairly long dry period (December, January, February, March and April) the use of shade is
important to avoid water stress on the plants. The property has a lot of stone, which heats and
dries the soil quickly, so we maintain a shading level of approximately 50% shade with varieties
of Ingas-type evergreen trees, although we try to keep some fruit trees such as sapote,
mangoes, oranges to help to wildlife on the property. Couples of deer, garrobos and a variety of
birds are observed.
The fertilization is distributed in three applications of 3 ounces each with complete formulas and
an additional one from Bokashi as a soil and organic matter improver.
Weed control is achieved with two chapias and one herbicide application per year and thus we
try to minimize soil erosion while maintaining a certain controlled vegetation cover. In certain
very steep parts, vetiver barriers have been planted to help control erosion.
This year, harvest 2022-2023, an anaerobic process carried out in the Los Ausoles Cooperative
was experimented on this H1 variety with very good results when the coffee expressed notes of
very pleasant tropical fruits.
La Manuela was bought by the family company Cuchubal SA de CV in 2013 due to its favorable
position adjacent to Finca Argentina, another farm owned by Cuchubal. We immediately
proceeded to replant with new varieties resistant to rust. The hybrid variety H1 was chosen for a
part of the farm with very good results in terms of productivity and cup quality.
Cuchubal is a family society made up of 2nd generation members (Mauricio Martinez) and 3rd
generation members (Alejandro, Beatriz and Adriana). The total area of the property is 46
manzanas and it is located on the northern slope of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range.
The works are carried out jointly with Finca Argentina and in total an average of 30 workers is
maintained between the two farms, personnel who live in the vicinity of the farm.
It is the first time that he has participated in the Cup of Excellence, which makes us proud for
having obtained such a good position according to the international jury. Cuchubal has the
objective of producing special coffee, which is why it maintains strict work and harvest policies
and that means that the reports sent by the Los Ausoles Mill on the quality of the coffee
delivered all have a score between 85 to 86 points.