La Merced
San Martín Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango
 
 

ABOUT US

We are a family that for almost 100 years has dedicated itself to producing and exporting the most exceptional coffee.

Our coffee is strictly hard bean (SHB) of the highest quality.


OUR BACKGROUND

Finca La Merced is the property of the Alburez family since 1832. This family heritage has been inherited from generation to generation: from Don Francisco Alburez, to Doña María Alburez de Ortega, to Don Carlos Ortega Alburez, to this day when we, the children and grandchildren of Don Carlos, are dedicated to continuing this tradition.

At first, the crops were corn and black beans. In 1912, Don Carlos Ortega decided to seed the first Bourbon type coffee plants, thus adventuring into that novel plantation. Finca La Merced is also proud to be dedicated, since its beginnings, to the silviculture of its pine, cypress, holm oak and oak forests.


CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR LAND

Committed to the flora and fauna, as well as to producing exceptional coffee, we have planted our coffee under the shade of the gravilea in the most level areas. The forest hills of pine, cypress, holm oak and oak, along with the approximately 20 hectares of reforestation, help protect the various water sources and the river that cuts through the farm.


MAIN HOUSE AND SURROUNDINGS

The main house has a vegetable and a flower garden. In the Catholic Church, the patron saint, Saint Isidore the Farmer, is revered. On his day, May 15th, the farm becomes the center of festivities of the area.

 

Farm profile

       

Geographic characteristics

Location: San Martín Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango
Area: 225 ha
Altitude range: 5600 - 6300 feet
Soil type: Clay
Shade trees: Gravilea

 

Climatic characteristics

Average temperature: 20°C
Annual rainfall: 1450mm
Relative humidity: 60%

 

Coffee production characteristics

Harvest season: January to April
Drying process: Sun
Mill: wet
Annual production: 200 69-Kg bags

 
 

Coffee lot to auction

    Previous Awards

Coffee lot: 22 69-Kg bags
Varieties: Bourbon


 


Cup of Excellence 2006
The Exceptional Cup 2004
Cup of Excellence 2002

 
 
©2007 Guatemalan National Coffee Association

Cup of Excellence®2007
Photo Gallery
June 14, 2007 starting at
7:00am (Guatemala)
8:00am (US Central Time)


Cup of Excellence®2007
Internet Auction
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