A steep and rocky path leads to the small farm Integral El Cipres located in the community Cedritos, municipality of Santiago de Puringla in the department of La Paz. Catalino Vasquez has taken over this small family unit after the death of his parents four years ago. Rebellious soul but strong conviction, Catalino decided that would make his property a good example of integrated management of a coffee farm.
For this Catalino took many courses of coffee production and worked as an assistant in the Origen Denomination fo Coffee Marcala, but this was not enough and then decided to produce his coffee organically. In 2006 his farm got the organic certification and since he has implemented different techniques of organic production and has become a reference for his constant innovation.
In the farm Integral El Cipres all waste of coffee processing are used, pulp is inoculated with microorganisms the mountain after a decay time becomes food for farming Californian worms. This process gets compost with a high content of organic matter and nutrients, which is the main fertilizer of his farm planted with Catui variety. The water used in the washing process of the coffee is inoculated with microorganisms to get foliar fertilizers.
Catalino last year suffered an accident that almost prevents him prepare his coffee lot for COE, but with the help of his brother Francisco who has already followed suit, could prepare the lot of coffee ranked the electronic auction. It is the third consecutive year that Catalino wins COE, however he maintains humility that characterizes him and works not only to improve his farm, but helps many producers to improve their processes and guides them to enter the specialty coffee market.
True to his pioneering spirit, Catalino is innovating with honey and natural processes and ensures that next year he will have coffees with spectacular flavors. Currently Catalino prepares and sells small microlots to buyers from Korea and Japan who recognize the efforts, leadership and knowledge that has this singular producer.
Rank | 34 |
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Farm Name | Integral el Cipres (2015) |
Farmer/Rep. | Catalino Vasquez Hernandez |
Country | Honduras |
Year | 2015 |
Size (30kg boxes) | 25 |
City | Santiago |
Region | La Paz |
Program | Honduras 2015 |
Month | - |
Aroma/Flavor | Ripe cherry, sugar cane, vanilla, grapefruit, tangerine, honey, molasses, cranberry |
Acidity | Extremely tartaric, intense, similar to Kenyans, juicy |
Other | Savory |