Finca Canta Ranas Santa Isabel
Expanding across the eastern slopes of the Andes in the central West of Colombia is the department of Tolima. This region is the third-largest coffee producing area in Colombia thanks to its climbing altitudes and ideal climates. Additionally, the Magdalena River basin carves through Tolima, bringing fresh water and nutrients to the soils.
It is here where Edward Sandoval has his farm, Finca Canta Ranas, which translates to mean ‘singing frogs,’ named after the many frogs that chirp near the local creek during the night. Edward is a third-generation coffee producer who actually studied Agroindustrial Engineering and worked in coffee quality assurance in both the public and private sectors for over 14 years.
One day, he decided he craved a change of pace, and bought an area of land near his parents and planted coffee. Initially, he cultivated Chiroso, Gesha, Moka, Wush Wush, Caturra, and Bourbon. Thanks to his experience in the coffee industry, he had extensive knowledge about quality and which varietals to plant. This allowed his farm to prosper and gain prominence throughout Tolima.
- Farm Finca Canta Ranas Santa Isabel
- Varietal Chiroso
- Process Fully washed
- Altitude 1,900 metres above sea level
- Town / City Santa Isabel
- Region Tolima
- Owner Edward Sandoval
- Farm Size 14 hectares
Colombia is the third largest coffee-producing country in the world, and thanks to its vast array of unique microclimate, are able to have harvests throughout the year.
Commercial coffee cultivation began in the mid-1830s and spread so rapidly that throughout the twentieth century coffee already became the country’s leading export. A mountainous topography and many tropical micro-climates contribute greatly to Colombia’s reputation for ideal growing conditions, which – in turn – have helped Colombia establish itself as a recognisable origin around the world.
The diversity of coffee and profiles found across Colombia is enormous and coffee is harvested practically year-round depending on the region. The main harvest takes place from October to February with November and December being the peak months. There is also a second fly (or ‘mitaca’) crop several months later, again varying by region and microclimate.