For over a year we have been working with a group of coffee farmers in el Carrizal with the goal of exporting coffee to Canada. The Carpinteros have been a big part of this project, and they are the ones recieving the coffee. We had the coffee cupped (quality tested) here with the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE) and it turned out to be great coffee. This is not too surprising considering the beautiful, high-elevation, shade covered farms where it is produced. It has been a long road full of surprises and plenty of paperwork to get the coffee on its way, but today the boat finally left the port on its way to Canada. Praise the Lord!
I know that is what many of the group members are thinking too. Many of them are dedicated members of the Christian Reformed Church in El Carrizal. Claudio, the president of the group, made some big sacrifices to produce quality coffee this year including briging his family up to the mountain to help pick the beans. But it was worth it because his coffee turned out to test very high in the quality ratings. This is Claudio on his usual mode of transportation.
Here is a picture of most of the group in front of the church where we usually meet. They call themselves the "Asociation of Coffee Growers, Rio Olancho".
The coffee was screened in the village before heading off to the exporter.
Here are Raul and Fredy showing off the washed "green" coffee.
If you live in Canada this coffee should be available just as soon as it arrives and can get roasted and bagged, so get ready for some great coffee straight from the mountains of Olancho!
3 comments:
this is a great reason to give praise I know it has been a long road to get to the point of having the coffee on the boat
Praise the Lord! So exciting! Thank you for all your work, Matt!
The coffee is now in Canada, and it is EXCELLENT. In the two weeks, we have been able to sell most of the first roasting (approx. 700 pounds), and expect to need a second roasting very soon. Thank you Matt for all you have done - it would not have been possible without you (and your cellphone). For those interested in Rio Olancho coffee, it is available for $10/lb in the Hamilton (Ontario) area by emailing info@carpenteros.ca We are also looking to soon have a price that includes shipping, and then hope to be able to list the coffee as a fixed-price 'buy it now' on eBay. For those in Canada who are interested in supporting this venture, The Carpenteros want to explore relationships with businesses and cafes that may be interested in 500-1000 lbs a year, so that this venture can continue and our friends in El Carrizal can be given a reliable outlet for selling their coffee. I could go on and on about the comments we have received, and the praise the coffee was given by the roasting and packaging company -- it is exceptionally good.
If you want to know more, please email info@carpenteros.ca or visit www.carpenteros.ca
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