Fraylesca
Fraylesca is characterized by its climbing altitudes, lush forests, and healthy soils – ideal for agricultural activity, known for its corn production. The landscape is shaped by the surrounding rugged Sierra Madres and the Central Depression, creating a terrain adorned with valleys and mountains. Some notable peaks are Tres Picos, El Cebu, and San Vicente. Intact forests of deciduous and coniferous trees dominate these mountains, allowing for a diverse and rich ecosystem. Nearly half of the area is dedicated conservation land, or protected wilderness. There is a plethora of species who live in Fraylesca including snakes, rock iguanas, weasels, bats, flying squirrels, field deer, mountain suckers, pajuil and cacomistle, boas, tropical rattlesnakes, roadrunners, grated owls, tlacuache, skunks, goat deer, white hawks, and wild boars amongst many others.
- Farm Fraylesca
- Varietal Azteca, Marsellesa, Oro
- Process Fully washed
- Altitude 1,000 – 1,700 metres above sea level
- Town / City Jaltenango
- Region Chiapas
- Owner 10 smallholder producers
- Tasting Notes Orange and stone fruit notes with a hint of florals.
- Farm Size 10 hectares on average
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.