"Guardiolas" is Spanish for drier. Some coffee origins have to dry their coffee mechanically due to unpredictable rainfall patterns or limited space. Others prefer the controlled environment to help ensure consistency. Coffee drying is a critical step in the processing of the beans. It can also accentuate the natural sweetness of the coffee when selected correctly.
Coffee picking is an integral step to the quality assurance process. When coffee is picked too early it can taste “raw and astringent”; when picked too late, the coffee can taste “rough and fermented”. Visiting coffee farms during this vital phase helps ensure we purchase just the right coffee.
In 1994, along with the rest of the world, Becky and I closely followed the daily news reports of the horrifying genocide happening in Rwanda. I trusted then that I would someday visit Rwanda to witness it’s miraculous recovery. My first visit finally came in 2005 and I was humbled to learn of the resiliency and grace of the Rwanda people. I was also able to identify and purchase special lots of Rwanda’s high quality coffee, a small token of support for their rehabilitation of a very special country and coffee growing regions. Coincidentally, years after the genocide, Becky and I had the privilege of meeting Carl and Teresa Wilkens in our hometown of Spokane. The Wilkens were doing humanitarian...
Back in the 60’s and 70’s the British Land Rover company had an assembly plant in Costa Rica. The vehicles were perfect for mountain work and many still serve coffee farming families today. Being a Brit myself, I always enjoy seeing this nod to home when I visit Costa Rica.
Jose Angel is the long-serving General Manager of Palmares Cooperative. His trusted, steady stewardship for over two decades has shaped the success of the town and region. Jose has a special place in our heart, as he once jumped into a water treatment pond to rescue our youngest son, Adam (6 years at the time) when he had accidentally fallen into the lagoon. Needless to say, Jose and the Palmares family of farmers has become an important part of the Cravens Coffee family folklore.