Location: Tarrazu, Costa Rica
Elevation: 1200 – 1500 meters
Varietal: Caturra
Region: Latin America
The region of central Costa Rica where La Minita grows its coffee is marked by two distinct seasons, one wet and one dry. The farm’s geographic location allows for favorable temperatures in perfect combination with intense periods of rain and sun. All of these factors, along with rich volcanic soil and a meticulous program of horticulture and production, are part of the complicated formula necessary to produce exceptional coffee.
La Minita is an estate coffee farm, one of the most well-run and respected in the world. Estate farms manage the total coffee producing cycle – from seedling to processed bean – to ensure the rich, distinctive taste and high quality of their coffee. Because La Minita demands that their pickers choose only the best fruit off the trees, the farm pays about 30% more than the national average for the fruit the coffee pickers gather. La Minita employs 80 full time workers. All of these full time employees are provided housing for themselves and their families on the farm.
During the harvest, approximately 150 contracted laborers are hired to perform weed control and over 600 pickers. La Minita also contributes matching funds to the workers’ association savings plans. This money is used for retirement savings or to fund large purchases such as appliances or furniture. Bulk purchasing power is used to supply inexpensive goods to cover the workers’ basic needs. Fresh vegetables are grown on the farm and made available to the workers. Additionally, there are 3,000 citrus trees (oranges, grapefruits, and limes) as well as avocados and mangoes throughout the farm. The estate also has it’s own medical clinic and dentist located on the farm.
Pingback: Current Offerings | Cultivar Coffee & Tea Co.