Coffee of the month - Costa Rica San Juanillo Natural
Fazenda Canta Galo was established in 1968 in the green, hilly country near the town of Areado in South Minas Gerais. José Carlos Vieira da Silveira sowed his first plantations with Arabica varietals of Mundo Novo and Catuaí. Since then, Fazenda Canta Galo has begun producing several single varietal coffees, including this 100% Rubi, a hybrid of Mundo Novo and Catuaí. As well as having a great passion for coffee farming, José Carlos was a far-sighted businessman, always striving to learn cutting-edge coffee management techniques. He instilled these values in his farm by creating good basic infrastructure and utilising excellent management practices throughout his career. After José Carlos died in 1991, his family continued to grow the coffee he loved and carried on his exemplary farm management and maintenance traditions.
The farm is now owned by José Carlos’ widow, Vera Lúcia Oliveira da Silveira, and managed by the couple’s two children, Isaías Pio da Silveira and Andréia Oliveira da Silveira. Isaías and Andréia are following in their father’s footsteps, seeking excellence in coffee production.
During the harvest and production process, it makes use of the following facilities: a washer; two pulpers, 5,800 square metres of concrete patios; 250 square metres of suspended terraces, with a hot house for the pre-drying phase; three pre-driers; two mechanical driers to dry the beans; and storage and resting bins. Only 120 of Fazenda Canta Galo’s 400 hectares are used for coffee production and processing. The remaining area is either set aside for conservation or agricultural diversification. A total area of 60 hectares is set aside as a nature reserve. At the same time, creeks, springs and other watercourses are designated as preservation zones, protecting terrain at a 30-metre radius from their banks. Liquid residues from the coffee process are used for ‘fertirrigation’ of pastures that were previously sub-soiled. Consumption water and residue water are analysed at least once a year, and waste is collected to protect the local ecosystem.
Fazenda Canta Galo employs 30 permanent staff that work on the plantations year-round. From May to September, an average of 100 additional temporary employees are taken on to work at the farm during the harvest season. Labour and employment laws are respected, and child labour is totally prohibited. Farm employees’ school-age children go to a local public school: a school bus provided by the Municipality of Areado/Alfenas picks them up at the farm and brings them back at the end of every school day. Individual protection equipment is mandatory for the farm’s employees. Safety training is also provided for specific duties, and there is a registered nurse for first aid care and personal and family health guidance.
This is a fantastic natural processed coffee from Brazil with well balanced fruit notes, gentle acidity and wonderful sweetness.
