PROCESSING
Very ripe cherries are picked and soaked in water to get rid of dust, floaters (or immature beans, hollow beans), lower the microbial count and homogenise temperature. They are then de-hulled with a manual de-pulper and laid on raised beds to dry for 16 – 18 days. They are placed in the shade where there is a lot of ventilation and moved every hour during the first 3 days and every 3 hours the
rest of the time.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
In the future Antonio is interested in developing his agronomic practices. Antonio also wants to provide support to other producers in the region who can’t afford to buy supplies. He would like to make the supplies accessible and very cheap for producers.
THOUGHTS FROM THE PRODUCER
“Together we take care of the environment avoiding any contaminations. To produce honeys and naturals is a very important way for us to improve our income and the wages for those who work for us. Production of these special coffees also allows us to know our produce better”, says Antonio. “We really want to support our children to be able to study in a University”, explains Antonio.