Coffee Origins

2-11-13

 

Coffee Buyer & Quality Manager Tim Hill went to El Salvador in January with Head Roaster Jeff McArthur to visit Aida Batlle. Last week, Tim filed a compelling trip report on flickr that includes lots of information about both the challenges facing Central American coffee producers and the exciting experiments being done with Aida that may eventually surface in our Fall 2013 Work in Progress. Check out Tim's annotated photo set on flickr.

 

Thanks,
Nathan

 

1-11-13

 

Our Coffee Department visits a lot of growing regions each year, and they keep up with cooperatives and individual farmers throughout the year between visits through a variety of digital communications – from email to video conferencing. It's always great to hear updates along the way to feel connected to the producers of the coffees we love.

 

Coffee Buyer's Agent Hannah Popish got an email this week from Jorge Recinos. Jorge and his twin brother Javier run their family's Finca Nueva Armenia in Huehuetenango, Guatemala – from which we've been buying coffee for 10 years and are always happy to welcome back! The photos Jorge sent can be seen in the flickr set included here. And, here's Hannah's translated summary:

 

They started picking on December 14 and feel confident the quality this year will be even higher. We will likely get three containers from them, including Grotto or Gemelos microlots and 2-3 bags of Maragojipe. Leaf rust has definitely hit Guatemala, but, with the help of a lot of hard workers, they feel confident they have it controlled at FNA with organic pesticides. And, they continue to hope for more rain! And, Happy New Year from Finca Nueva Armenia!

 

Thanks,
Nathan