About Us
A Century of Excellence: Finca San José Ocaña Coffee from Guatemala
San Jose Ocaña has been in the family for over 100 years, and has always been a sustainable agricultural operation, which started mainly as a forestry farm management.
Our farm is located in San Juan Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. It has a total of 175 hectares, 85 hectares for coffee and the rest for forestry and conservation. The altitude ranges from 1905 to 1955 meters above sea level. Its average rainfall is 1400 millimeters a year. For shade we use mostly Grevillea or Silk Oak and native species.
Balancing Technology and Tradition:
Our approach to plantation management is a delicate balance between technology and tradition. We use advanced tools to monitor plant wellness, while also implementing conservative strategies to avoid plant stress, such as well-managed shade trees and native species to prioritize biodiversity.
Due to limited water resources, we are extremely conscious of our usage. We recycle 75-80% of depulping water, allowing organic matter to decant before using it on cutting grass pastures to feed cattle. The resulting manure is collected and used in our earthworm compost installations before being applied to the soil as organic fertilizer for our coffee plants. By prioritizing sustainability at every step of the process, we strive to produce exceptional coffee while minimizing our environmental impact.
Sustainable Farming and Meticulous Drying:
At our wet mill, we take great care in ensuring that our coffee reaches the perfect point by paying special attention to the fermentation tanks. We are committed to using recycled water for washing the coffee and only use a small amount of fresh water for the final wash before transferring the beans to the sun drying patios.
During the drying process, we carefully monitor the surface temperature of the parchment and provide shade cloth to prevent scourging when the sun gets too strong. This meticulous approach to drying allows us to achieve a superior quality coffee with a wide range of flavors and notes.
We take pride in our sustainable farming practices, and believe that our commitment to environmental responsibility is reflected in the quality of our coffee.
Building a Sustainable Partnership:
How Our Collaborators Help Us Produce Exceptional Coffee"
Our long-time collaborators are highly skilled and continuously trained, creating a strong and reliable relationship built on mutual trust. By managing the farm responsibly, we provide job security and support the sustainability of our workers' families. Prioritizing the well-being of our employees and land leads to exceptional coffee quality:
Shading
We cultivate coffee under managed shade trees, including gravillea and native species such as oaks, cypress, and pine. This helps prevent over-stressing of the cultivars due to excessive sunlight exposure. As a result, the plants live longer and are healthier, leading to a better quality cup of coffee.
Fertilization
We fertilize our coffee plants based on their specific nutrient needs, which are determined through yearly soil and tissue analysis. Whenever possible, we prioritize the use of natural fertilizers rather than chemical ones. To this end, we utilize the pulp leftover from our wet mill process as compost, which is then added to the plants as organic fertilizer.
Soil Management
We think about the soil in terms of long-term stability and sutainability. We carefully monitor its Ph, and its nutrient conductivity, making amendments where and when it is needed, according to the ANACAFE guidelines.
Waste Disposal
We have installed garbage containers all over the farm, throughout all internal roads, so our collaborators can dispose it appropriately. After collecting it, we periodically take it to recycling centers in the nearest town.