La Bella y Anexo - Guatemala 2013 Verified listing

Overview:

Cultivating coffee is an art that requires skill, dedication and time.

Experts have recognized Guatemala n coffee to be among the best around the world.  La Bella has obtained the best quality to satisfy the requirements of the consumers. Its quality is influenced due to the strategic location and processing. It is located in a subtropical climate surrounded by forests in the heart of Las Minas Mountain Ridge.

During four generations, the skills of planting, of growing, of harvesting, and of processing coffee have been handed down to each member of the family. This is why the location, the altitude, and the process influence in taste, in aroma, and in acidity perfection La Bella´s generations have been seeking throughout the years.

At La Bella estate soft washed Arabica coffee is processed, planted in two shade canopies for preserving the environment and wildlife diversity.

Processes are implemented to save energy, water, and waste management of coffee such as, solar dryers, water recycling, treatment of used water and worm compost process for the management of the pulp.

Continuous improvement of its employees is sought with training, medical assistance, improved housing and services, to have an integrated development of social and environmental responsibility.

Process: First, pulping is made with recycled water, then it is fermented and a machine is used to wash the mucilage. Third, the beans are classified by density in the channel, resting for 12 to 18 hours under clean running water. Finally the beans are dried in solar dryers, and if necessary static dryers are used.

Certifications: Café Practices. The possibility with Rain Forest Alliance is being considered.

Geographic characteristics:

Location:  El Progreso, San Agustín Acasaguastlán

Area: 224 ha

Altitude range: 4700-6000 feet

Type of soil and predominant element: Clay

Shade trees: Inga

Climatic characteristics:

Average temperature: 15°C

Annual rainfall: 2500mm

Relative humidity: 85%

Coffee production characteristics:

Harvest season: January to April

Drying process: Sun

Mill: Wet

Annual production:  800 (69-Kg bags)