Picture of La Candelaria Coffee Farm B&B
Caption: La Candelaria Coffee Farm
Minca, Colombia
Minca, Colombia Minca, Colombia
Caption: In June 2014, I visited a third-generation, certified organic coffee plantation in the small town of Minca, Colombia.
During our visit, Eugenio, the owner, took us on a plant to cup tour, so we could learn the true cost of work that goes into each cup of coffee we drink.
We performed each step by hand, beginning with the cherry harvest.
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Caption: Though this image shows a healthy plant, la roya, or leaf rust, has destroyed over 50% of the 30-hectare plantation.
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Caption: At $3,000 to replace the sick plants, Eugenio's only option is to wait until each plant dies before starting over, resulting in a significant loss to his income.
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Caption: Further, due to larger plantations in Brasil and Vietnam, coupled with the recent economic crisis, the price of coffee has dropped significantly over the past several years.
Caption: Once the cherries are picked, they must be processed immediately to avoid spoilage.
The cherries are depulped, sorted, fermented, and then dried before they are ready for roasting.
We skipped this stage and continued with hulling the beans.
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Caption: We removed the hulls with a giant mortar and pestle used by Eugenio's grandfather.
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Caption: Using a large bowl, we separate the hulls from the beans with a few hefty shakes.
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Caption: Roasting the beans over a 400-degree flame, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
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Caption: Once roasted, the beans cool on a burlap sack.
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Caption: We grind the beans by hand to prepare for brewing.
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Caption: And finally, we enjoy the coffee!
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Caption: To stay with Ana and Eugenio at La Candelaria, visit their airbnb page:
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1049934
Photos by Jen Sotolongo
Instagram: @jengracesoto
