Finca El Pino Cup of Excellence #14
Since 1938, the Gándara family has been growing exquisite coffees deep in the Veracruz region of Mexico at their farm, Finca El Pino. The slopes of this mountainous region allow for a humid tropical climate ideal for the slow maturation of coffee. The beautiful climbing elevations create a scenic place for the cultivation and harvest of coffee, where current owner José Luis Andrade Gándara enjoys the natural beauty of his farm.
- Farm Finca El Pino
- Varietal Bourbon, Typica
- Process Fully washed
- Altitude 1,100 metres above sea level
- Town / City Cosautlán De Carvajal
- Region Veracruz
- Owner José Luis Andrade Gándara
- Tasting Notes Bright, nectarine, violet
- Farm Size 18 hectares
Coffee first arrived in Mexico in the late 1700s, introduced by Spanish settlers. These days the country produces a significant amount of coffee, though its place as a producer of coffee on a global scale has been significantly diminished due to the entry of untraditional Arabica producers on the scene and, in particular, due to crop losses due to coffee leaf rust. Although the country is one of the foremost exporters of certified coffee (both organic and fair trade), the specialty market for quality is yet to make significant inroads here. This is not because Mexico lacks potential for producing quality lots: the country boasts a huge number of growing regions with agreeable altitudes and climates, as well as hundreds of thousands of experienced, well-established small-scale farmers. With more than 600 thousand hectares in 12 states under primarily Arabica coffee production, Mexico has great untapped potential for the production of specialty lots.