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About Us
Finca Santa Isabel is located in the department of
Santa Rosa, 64 kilometres southeast of Guatemala City. The region's
volcanic soil and microclimate are ideal for cultivating the finest
quality coffee. Our plantations, located at altitudes ranging from 3,500
to 5,000 feet (1,000 to 1,500 meters) above sea level, produce Strictly
Hard Bean and Hard Bean types. The principal varieties grown at Santa
Isabel, Canturra and Catuai, are both from the Arabica coffee family.
Ideal climate and natural resources are not the only
things that go into producing excellent coffee; precise timing and
orderly handling at the processing plant are also critical factors.
Isabel Coffee goes through several equally important stages before it is
ready for shipping: planting, harvesting, fermenting, washing, drying,
milling, roasting, grinding and packaging.
We harvest our coffee from November to February. Each
cherry is carefully selected, hand picked and then sorted. After the
skin is removed, the beans go through a second selection in water where
beans of greater density are separated from those less dense. Next, the
beans undergo an innovative two-step fermentation, which results in a
smoother, cleaner cup.
Our gourmet coffee is sun dried in state-of-the-art
patios. Once dried the coffee is allowed to rest at least three weeks in
isolated silos, which guard against contamination. Afterwards, the
coffee is milled at which point it undergoes yet another selection
process, which guarantees bean uniformity and a higher quality product.
At this stage, the beans are ready for export under the trademark ISABEL
as green coffee. Most of our green coffee exports go to European and
Asian markets. All the components of the mill were designed at Santa
Isabel and built in Guatemala. A percentage of each year's crop is
retained to be roasted and sold as Isabel 100% Gourmet Coffee.
The latest addition to our plant is our roasting
facility; it includes a combination of new American-made and locally
made machinery. The latest German technology is used for both roasting
and packaging. Our specially prepared roasted coffee is sold either
ground or whole bean. There are four qualities of coffee and several
packaging options to choose from. Air-sealed vacuum and nitrogen flush
packaging are both available in quantities ranging from 3 ounces to 5
pounds. We also package in colorful woven bags, which reflect
Guatemala's Maya heritage.
History
In 1899 Federico Keller and his wife, Isabel, founded
Finca Santa Isabel in the department of Santa Rosa, 64 kilometres
southeast of Guatemala’s capital city. Located at altitudes ranging from
3,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level the plantation produces Strictly
Hard Bean and Hard Bean coffees.
Finca Santa Isabel has been family owned and operated
for four generations. Every step involved in producing an excellent cup
of coffee - from the nurseries where the coffee plantations begin to the
roasting facility where Isabel Coffee is made ready for consumption -
has been carefully planned and supervised with all activities taking
place on the premises.
Other Statistics:
Annual Production: 8,000 bags
Soil type: Franc / Clay
Annual precipitation: 1,700 mm
Shade Trees Species: Inga
Beginning of Harvest: November
End of Harvest: February
Relative Humidity: 75%
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