Cultivating

1.) Soil is dug up and organic fertilizer is added. 

2.) It takes 6-8 weeks for the seeds to germinate. At 3 months the plants go out into the field. They are planted 3 feet apart in rows. 

3.)After 2 to 3 years the plants are producing and then the plants last only 7 years, then it is cut and then another plant is planted.

4.) Before production, the plants are pruned to easily maintained for harvesting by controlling the hight and structure.

5.) Next maintaining a healthy plant structure, by pruning and improving air circulation to reduce pests and diseases.

6.) This allows the sunlight to reach the fruit for better yielding and healthy production.

7.) Every 8 months coffee is harvested starting June/July and August.

8.) The red cherries are picked carefully by hand collecting it in a basket holding it up with a band around the farmers waist.

9.) When the basket is full it’s dumped in a sack that holds 154lbs. (it’s takes 3,250 whole beans to make 1 pound)

10.) Then the sack is transported on the farmers back, back to the washing tank. The coffee is washed and put into a separating machine. The machine separates the pulp from the coffee bean.  

11.) The bean soaks in a tank of water with the mucilage still intact over night fermenting. 

12.) In the morning the water is drained, the bean is then washed removing all the mucilage. 

13.) The beans are then transported back into the sack. In a giant tarp, the beans are spread out evenly to dry by the sun. It takes about 5-6 days to fully dry. (Each night beans are put back into the sack)

14.) Beans are then examined and any excessive unwanted debris are removed. The beans are then put into a shipping sack.

15.) The beans are then transported in a truck from the coffee farm, to La coperatiba la Florida to sell.