Blog

Central American Coffee: El Recreo Estate

This is one of my favorite times of the year.  The weather is getting warmer, the days are longer, and new crop Central American coffees are in full swing!  Seeing these fresh arrivals come in to our warehouse after having been to origin to see the farmers cultivate, harvest, sort, and pack the coffee is very rewarding.  Just seeing the burlap sacks and smelling that slightly fruity aroma that only fresh, high-quality green beans give off brings back so many memories from my farm visits.

Today we are unloading containers from our most recent arrival, El Recreo from Jinotega, Nicaragua.  This Rainforest Alliance certified estate owned by the Ferrey family continues to impress me with their quality and commitment to being productive members of their community and the environment.    I believe that if all coffee drinkers spent a day at a farm like the Ferrey’s, everyone would support quality coffee growers .  The passion and love for what they do is clearly noticed in the bright characteristics of their coffee, but it is truly felt when you are at their farm.

In addition to the impressive acreage of shade grown coffee, managed under Rainforest-Alliance principles, there is a charming little schoolhouse for the young children of the coffee pickers, a training center for other local farmers, and a vast cooking and dining area where the pickers can enjoy a fresh-cooked meal after a day of work.  They even have movie nights, dances, and games that create a strong sense of community and provide healthy forms of entertainment for workers and their families.

The El Recreo estate is an exemplary coffee estate that continues to push for better amenities for its workers and more development of its community members.  We are very proud to be partners with this group and are looking forward to our next visit to prepare for next year’s harvest.  Until then, we will just have to reminisce about this beautiful estate as we enjoy their exquisitely vibrant and slightly fruity coffee.   I know, it’s a tough job…