Las Mercedes - El Salvador 2010 Verified listing

Overview:

Francisco Giron Salazar is a Medical Doctor by choice, coffee producer by heart. And is the husband of Bessie, owner of San Isidro Rank on 4th on this same competition. The history of La Mercedes the farm starts around 1912 with the purchase of 17.29 acres of land that was made by an admirably young entrepreneur, of joyous spirit and extraordinary vision, Francisca Salazar. Her vision consisted in buying small portions of land with one purpose only: harvesting. During this time of year, she would move from her permanent home in Ahuachapan to Las Mercedes from December through March to supervise its harvesting, processing, inspection and storage. By 1922, the property’s area increased to 276.75 acres of land from which heirs still own approximately 138.37 acres of its land to this day. Las Mercedes is located in a secluded area at the north face of Cerro de Las Ranas, at an average altitude of 5,085 feet (1,550 m) where wind admirably does not affect its plantations, allowing unique harvests of especialty coffee beans. This lot was carefully selected at the early stage of the crop, from the highest altitude “Tablon La Pechuga” where Typical Arabica and Bourbón varieties conforms the plantation. The cherries were let ripped in the tree, until the most brilliant dark red color was acquired, then picked by hand for selection. Transportation to the mill in the shortest time was a key factor to prevent fermentation. The cherries were processed at the mill by wet method, natural fermentation and sun dried to ensure the best quality of the coffee beans.

Other Statistics:

Location: Cerro Las Ranas, Santa Ana
Coffee varieties: Bourbón
Type of Shade: Cuje, Pepeto.
Shade trees density: 100/Ha. (70/Mz)Average Annual Rainfall: 2,000 mm
Average Temperature: 23º C (73.4º F)
Type of Soil: Clay loam
Annual Production: (60 kg)300 bags
Mill and company where lot was process: Cooperativa Cuzcachapa de R. L.Flora: Cypress, mahogany,Tropical cedar,cortes blanco, mezcal, cebitos.
Fauna type: Armadillos, tacuazines, racoons, deer, perdices, codornices, eagles, owl.
Fertilizing method: Manual, two applications per year. 2 Oz/15-15-15 and 2 Oz/ Nitrogen (Urea 46% N).Environmental control practices: Manual herbal control, natural barriers, pesticide control.

Coffee processing method:

Washed. Fermentation method: Natural.

GPS Coordinates:

Latitude: N 13° 54´ 48.5´´
Longitude: W 89° 43´ 03.75´´