Santa Clara is located in the southern slopes of the Antigua Valley, between 5,100 and 6,000 feet, is privileged to have one of the finest volcanic soils to produce specialty coffee. The preservation of its natural condition is a priority for the owners. The plantation is also under a very strict control of shade, allowing the coffee trees to receive the exact amount of sunshine required to produce this fine, exquisite and aromatic coffee.
The farm is managed since 1988 by Ricardo Zelaya, he is the fourth generation that produces coffee in Santa Clara. Mr. Zelaya is funding member of Genuine Antigua Coffee Producers Association –APCA-
The varieties used in our plantations are: Bourbon and Caturra. The hand picked fruit is processed and washed in a traditional mill with crystal clear water. Then patiently sun dried for days in patios, giving each bean a distinctive blue-green color. This sun dried coffee has the highest standards of quality in Antigua. Every step in the mill is monitored constantly to maintain the quality. When the coffee is dried each sample is cupped by two expert cuppers to assure our clients the usual quality of this coffee.
Farm profile
Geographic
characteristics
Location: Pastores, SACATEPEQUEZ
Area: 179 ha
Altitude range: 5100 - 6200 feet
Type of soil and predominant element: Loamy-Sand
Shade trees: Gravilea
Climatic
characteristics
Average temperature: 25°C
Annual rainfall: 1200mm
Relative humidity: 70%
Coffee
production characteristics
Harvest season: January to April
Drying process: Sun
Mill: Wet
Annual production: 5000 (69-Kg bags)