We continue our journey
This time at Syra Coffee we want to take you on a trip to Central America. An equatorial region with tropical climates and great mountain ranges, with altitudes of over 800 metres. A paradise for growing Arabica coffee in optimal conditions. under optimal conditions.
So much so that three of the countries in this part of the world are among its top 10 producers. These are exceptional conditions for the proliferation of good speciality coffees. If you have any doubts about what this type of coffee is, we recommend you read the article where we explain it to you .What you are reading now is part of a series of articles in which we cover the main places where coffee is grown in the world. You can also check out South America, Africa and Asia. Did we catch you unpacking? Well, repack it and we're off.
Coffee from Honduras
It is now common to see this small country competing for fifth place in world production with India and Ethiopia, which have territories ten times larger. This also makes it the largest producer in Central America, which gives us an idea of its importance .The average altitude of the country is over 1,000 metres, which is closely linked to the best qualities of coffee. So much so that growing low-quality varieties in Honduras is forbidden. And this is not a euphemism, it is a law.
In Honduras we find 100% Arabica coffeescoffee, traditional production and harvesting methods are deeply rooted in most of its plantations, and 98% of coffee is grown in the shade, in a country with high temperatures. The result is a great respect for the environmentThe result is a great respect for the environment, the preservation of the richness of the soil, and a coffee with fruity aromas and just the right amount of acidity.
Guatemalan coffee
To begin with, a curious fact. It was the Guatemalan doctor Federico Lehnhoff Wyld, who invented soluble coffee at the beginning of the 20th century.
In Guatemala there are 800 million coffee plants, shaded by 38 million trees. This constitutes the largest artificial forest in Central America. This is a great lung of oxygen, an excellent carbon dioxide fixer, and one of the main sources of income for the country. The shade provided by this large forest allows the coffee cherries to ripen slowly. Before they are picked and selected by hand.
Nearly 300 microclimates, and coffee plantations that, more than 90% of the time, are located above 1,300 metres. All this will give you an idea of the wide range of flavours on offer . Exquisite cups of delicious aroma, pleasant sweetness and delicate acidity.
Coffee from Mexico
Coffee is deeply rooted in Mexican culture. The so-called "café de olla" is witness to this, and although this way of preparing and serving it has little or nothing to do with speciality coffee, we could not fail to mention it.
Mexico is among the top 10 producers in the world. And although coffee cultivation is concentrated in the Sierra Madre Oriental y del Sur, coffee accounts for almost 50% of the country's agricultural exports. Mexican coffee undoubtedly owes much to the small farms in the hands of family farmers. to the small farms in the hands of coffee-producing families..
Around 90% of the farms are of this type. Third or fourth generation coffee growers who have found a way to overcome climate change, crime rates, and production costs, among other adversities. Passion and efforthave been rewarded in recent years, with a growing interest on the part of local entrepreneurs and baristas to bring out the most brilliant qualities of speciality coffee .
Nicaraguan coffee
A country that is gradually confirming its high potential. Nicaragua has not had it easy. The end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century were marked by a civil war, Hurricane Mitch, droughts and the crisis in the coffee industry.
Despite all this, coffee is one of the most important contributors to the economy and identity of "the land of lakes and volcanoes". Farmers' associations and cooperatives are taking control of the situation. They are relyingon thequality of their speciality coffee and its international relevance . Forexample, 100% of the coffee is harvested by hand. Due to the great diversity of soils and climates it is difficult to describe common characteristics, but we do find a mild body and acidity.
Coffee from El Salvador
It's actually quite small, El Salvador. So was David, and Goliath is no longer expected for dinner. We are talking about the country that was once the world's fourth largest coffee producer. However, even though that time has passed, it continues to provide excellent quality lots. This clear shift from quantity to quality has been thanks to people trained in the production of speciality coffees. A new generation of coffee growers who, with this new vision and approach, have succeeded in making coffee growing a resource injection for rural areas.
The plantations, in 95% of the cases, are on small farms. This facilitates the care and harvesting of the coffee plantations. Furthermore, this activity plays an important role in the conservation of the environment. Ninety percent of coffee production is shaded by trees, which help the fruits to ripen slowly, have hydrological relevance, and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. Another great example of passion and effort.
Costa Rican Coffee
The quality of life in Costa Rica is very high. It is normal that they know how to make the most of small pleasures, such as enjoying a good coffee. Risingproduction costs and inflation have forced this country to find ways to differentiate itself. The climatic conditions are excellent, but innovation and technical know-how have made Costa Rica a pioneer in processing methods.
Inthis way they have become world leaders in the traceability and sustainability of specialty coffee production . The mills owned by the small and medium-sized farms themselves offer a highly personalised treatment to their harvests. This results in a wide range of unique flavours depending on the origin of each batch.
Panama Coffee
Despite being a small country, Panama is of great importance in the world of speciality coffee. Proof of this are two facts that will surprise you. On the one hand, Panama is becoming abenchmark in coffee tourism. The Boquete region is attracting more and more visitors willing to spend several days touring it, just for the pleasure of enjoying the different coffees it has to offer.
On the other hand, 80% of production is Arabica, but mainly of a very specific variety, highly valued for its excellent quality: Geisha. This variety, of Ethiopian origin, is particularly difficult to grow. It needs to be planted at 1700 metres above sea level, and needs very delicate care due to its sparse foliage and shallow roots.
Its sweetness, bright acidity and floral and fruity aromas have made it a highly sought-after coffee. So much so that it has been breaking price records since 2014 . In 2018, a pound (almost half a kilo) of Panamanian Geisha sold for 803 dollars. In September 2021, the auction price, for the same amount, reached 2568 dollars.
And here we stop. What did you think of the tour? Quite complete, isn't it? It's quite possible that after reading so much about different coffees, you're almost tasting them and you're getting some of their notes.
You may feel like trying them all at once, but don't get overwhelmed.