What Are The Traditional Coffee Farming Practices that Have Stayed With Us!
Coffee has innovated with time but there are things that never change. For example, the traditional coffee farming practices that are necessary. The human touch will always be needed when it comes to coffee, from farming to enjoying it at home or in a coffee shop! In this Hacienda Iluminada, we will talk about the traditional coffee farming practices and how they have impacted us today!
Traditional Practices In Coffee Farming
Hand Picking
Farmers have hand picked coffee cherries for generations, this is an honorable job because it takes time and a lot of effort. This part of coffee farming has not changed because it is what makes coffee better, farmers pick cherries only the right ripeness cherries. Which results in having a delicious and full of flavor coffee bean!
Natural Pest Control
Pest control is necessary in a farm, especially at a coffee farm because it protects the coffee plantation from unwanted pests that can affect the production. The best way to do this is naturally! Many farmers grow plants that can keep away harmful insects. At Hacienda Iluminda we use natural pesticides to avoid using harsh chemicals in the soil that can affect the environment
Natural processing Method
After hand-picking the coffee cherries, farmers need to process the coffee beans so they can have a delicious flavor. A traditional process that hasn't gone away is the natural processing method, which consists of spreading the coffee beans out in the sun, leaving the outer skin to dry. This process takes longer but it leaves an amazing flavor in the coffee!
Shade-Grown Coffee:
Many coffee farms grow their coffee under the shade of large trees. This method of farming has several benefits. It gives us a coffee bean with a balanced flavor but it also helps to take care of nature's health. When coffee is grown in the shade, it matures slower, helping it to develop more natural sugars and more flavor. Additionally, the shade protects the coffee plants from intense weather conditions.
If it’s GOOD for earth, it is GOOD FOR YOU!
The Impact In Coffee Farming today
These traditional coffee farming methods have had a lasting impact on the way coffee is known today. These amazing practices have taught new generations that old ways are sometimes the best. These methods show us how as humans, we can grow amazing coffee while keeping in mind the importance of biodiversity, soil health, and how to grow high-quality coffee
In Conclusion…
Now you understand a little bit more about the traditional practices in coffee farming! All of these practices have helped us grow coffee the way we do TODAY! Coffee and coffee farming keeps changing with time but some things are kept the same to keep that amazing coffee you love. As the planet changes and faces new challenges the coffee industry needs to find solutions to protect coffee against climate change and sometimes traditional practices offer sustainability to keep having the best coffee! At Hacienda Iluminada we love to keep that human touch while we still innovate to keep the planet healthy and ith delicious coffee!