Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

Coffee plantations: a quick, but intense trip to the area of central Colombia called “Eje Cafetero”, the coffee region.

 

This time Bernini Bianca, granddaughter of the founder Vasco, part of the third generation of the Bernini family in Mokaflor, did a journey to the coffee plantations in Colombia. The tour took place together with Olam International, Mokaflor’s main supplier of green coffee, a partner for many years.

 

Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

 

The visit took place to Risaralda and Quindío, the main regions of coffee cultivation in the area. The team visited small plantations, called “finca”:

 

FINCA LA PRIMAVERA – Belen de Umbria

Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

 

FINCA LA TESALIA – Buenavista

Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

 

FINCA LA DIVISA – Buenavista 

Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

 

These are pluriculture plantations. In fact, coffee is not the only plant present, but also we found: plane tree, papaya, guanabana, avocado. The plane tree is also particularly important for the life and proper growth of coffee, as being very tall stem trees, they shade the coffee plants that grow under it. Regarding coffee, the plantations are composed by multi-variety of Arabica coffee, including: Colombia, Castillo, Cenicafe and Tabi.

 

Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

 

What certainly unites every plantation we have visited, is the great attention and passion that the farmers and campesinos devote to their work, as a real dedication of life. The landscape of these enchanting and remote places is also very similar, characterized by a luxuriant and tropical nature. These plantations are all located between 1.500 and 2.000 meters above sea level. The temperature is always between 20 °-25 °.

In particular, the trip was aimed at discovering the working and living conditions of the campesinos, the farmers of the plantations, as well as environmental sustainability. The discovery was positive: the working conditions are good and the plantations are almost entirely sustainable, with total respect for the surrounding environment. Furthermore, child exploitation is strictly prohibited; in fact, young people regularly attend school, even in the most rural areas.

 

Journey to Colombia: discovering the coffee plantations

 

Despite this, the Arabica coffee, according to the market, particularly the washed one, has very low selling costs at the moment. This does not allow the campesinos adequate average incomes, which reflect the quality of the coffee they grow and the efforts of their work. For this reason, Olam tries to provide support, helping to improve the working conditions of all the farmers and the communities with which they work, through logistical and financial solutions and thanks to their direct presence. In addition, the spread of Specialty coffee worldwide is bringing a great opportunity for Colombian coffee.

Discover all Caffèlab Specialty Coffees from Colombia!

Soon the video of the trip, stay tuned.