El Refugio - Guatemala 2020 Verified listing

Cup of Excellence Microlot: 

Variety: Yellow Pacamara, fully washed

Microlot size: 1,000 pounds (approx.)

Altitud: 6,000 Ft. 

Certifications: Cafe Practices, Nespresso, Highland Huehue Regional Prize 

HISTORY:

Oswaldo Perez y Perez was born in Agua Dulce in 1917. At the age of 16 his father passed away and he had to step up and with his brothers continue to cultivate sugarcane and panela. In 1940 they founded “EL REFUGIO” and began growing coffee (typica) in an area of approximately 5.6 hectares. 

In 1982 Oswaldo Perez y Perez passed away and his tree sons, Alfonso, Joel, and Oswaldo Perez Ramirez, took management of the farm. They continued growing coffee with new and better techniques that resulted in higher yields, as well as experimenting with new varieties (Caturra, Catuai, and Pacamara). 

In 1992 Oswaldo Perez Ramirez purchased the farm from his brothers and the neighboring farm to establish Finca El Refugio, with an area of 105 hectares of coffee and 35 hectares of untouched tropical rainforest. 

The Farm has its own wet and dry mills, housing for 150 permanent residents, and the “Casa Patronal” Mr. Oswaldo’s house. 

… by the way, the name “El Refugio or the Refuge”, is in honor of the people who fled the war in mexico of the 1850/1860, who took refuge not to be captured, crossing the Guatemalan border, and finding in those beautiful mountains the perfect REFUGIO!

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Processing: Fully Washed, honey and natural and sun dried on patios and african beds
Total Production: 1,000 46kg bags (103 lbs) of Parchment
Altitude: 4,500-6,500 ft (1,350 – 1980 mts) above sea level
Rainfall: 2500-3000mm (98 – 118 inches) Annually 

Water supply: The farm counts with natural springs enough to supply the farm and neighbors, who have access to the water at no cost. The Agua Dulce River also flows through the farm, however, this water is not necessary for the farm. 

Shade Trees: Ingas: Chalun and Caspirol Cuernavaca 

Town/City: Agua Dulce, Cuilco, Huehuetenango