9 am – De-shelled the pergamino coffee with Victor (oversees processing) & Carlos to use and continued training them in roasting with the Gene Cafe.

10 am – Drove to another part of the farm named “Mangal” (Mango trees there).  Sergio was our guide today. Mangal is all Bourbon and probably has the oldest trees in Palmira. Within Mangal, there are 2 sections that run parallel up and down the mountain.  The 2 sides essentially form an “L” (1 side facing north, 1 side facing east) with the connecting path in the elbow of the “L”.  Mangal is dense with Bourbon trees.  The majority are in great shape and show less coffee rust then the larger section of trees. Sergio says there is a pretty large snake that lives in Mangal, I was just fine not seeing it. Speaking of creepy, as we walked back from Mangal to the truck, Sergio pointed out a Tarantula in a dirt hole.  I tried to snap a quick picture.  The tarantula scurried back into the hole. I missed it. Without hesitation, Sergio put his whole arm into the hole to try to grab the spider for me. Brave soul. No spider. Thank goodness! From Mangal we drove to a smaller lot called “Cementario” (near a cemetary).  Carlos joked that this is where the coffee gets it’s full body.  Cementario is a section of mixed varietals (mostly Bourbon & Caturra).  Looks to be in great shape.  The more I walk Carlos’ farm and see the others around, it is clear how well Carlos, his family and their workers take care of their trees. From Cementario, we hiked further up (calf-burning) to the last section of the farm named “Victorias” (Grandma’s name).  Victorias is the highest-grown coffee in Palmira.  It is another Bourbon-only (some yellow) lot that is between 1700-1800 meters. Victorias is the section that needs the most work.  Carlos has identified it as an area of focus for the new Bourbon seedlings.  The views from Victorias are simply stunning.

6 pm – Bruno (in charge of the trees and pickers) was invited to join us for dinner tonight.  It was a great meal with each other and learned a lot more about the farm, it’s history and the workers.

Pergamino to Green

On road to Mangal

Mangal Bourbon

Looking at Victorias

The view from Victorias (the other side of that mountain is the esteemed El Injerto farm)

MANY MORE PICTURES AT

www.flickr.com/photos/bullruncoffee/sets/72157623440318831/

Author: Dan