In January 2019, at the invitation of our business partner Dethlev Cordts, we traveled to Guatemala with teams from other roasters to get an idea of his “Coffee from Lampocoy” project and to see how the coffee plants are grown first hand. We are happy to be able to share some of these impressions with you.
The coffee plantations in Lampocoy
The Lampocoy growing area is located in the Nuevo Oriente region, at an altitude of 800 - 1500 m. Temperatures are around 21 °C and the NE trade winds rain a fine drizzle (chipi chipi) on the slopes. This means that growth is very slow and the aroma can develop very well. The coffee is grown organically and traded directly. The farmers receive a price that is currently 40% above the world market level.
Dethlev Cordts: "In close cooperation with the coffee farmers, we improve the quality of our coffee from year to year. We use the income and additional donations to help schools and health stations. We also finance the expansion of the infrastructure. In this way, we offer the people of Lampocoy a long-term perspective."
The coffee is grown in mixed cultures. Various larger trees and other crops are planted between the coffee bushes to provide shade for the coffee bushes. Banana and avocado trees, for example, as well as eucalyptus are planted as shade trees. This type of cultivation creates good living conditions for the coffee plants, as the higher treetops protect the bushes from strong winds and excessive sunshine. In addition, the soil moisture is increased and the soil is loosened. The variety of animals and plants, in turn, serves the plants as natural protection against pests. Together with ground-covering plants and mulch from falling leaves, the shade trees also make weed control easier and thus contribute to the health of the coffee bushes. A stable ecosystem is created. This type of cultivation therefore does not require excessive use of chemical fertilizers.
Coffee plantations in Atitlán
The Finca Santo Tomas Pachuj is a private nature reserve in the unique volcanic and river landscapes of Atitlan. Here you can find the purest and cleanest water from the mountain springs and the best gourmet quality coffee. The finca is Rainforest Alliance certified. The plants are planted in such a way that a special grass is planted between the coffee bushes, which remains under the bushes even after cutting. This protects, fertilizes, cools and keeps the soil moist. This means there is no erosion during the often heavy rain and you can sometimes do without the shade trees - a fascinating fusion of nature. The process of sun-dried coffee in the nature reserve of Santo Tomás Pachuj makes this coffee something special.
The coffee is dried on large concrete surfaces, where it is turned, pushed together and spread out again several times a day. This means it dries more slowly and evenly. It is strenuous and time-consuming work, but the result is worth it.
