Why Puerto Rican Coffee is So Amazing? | Hacienda Iluminada, Puerto Rico
Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages in the world and Puerto Rican coffee is no exception. This Caribbean island is famous for its delicious and aromatic coffee that is appreciated by coffee lovers everywhere, but what makes Puerto Rican coffee so amazing? There are some factors that come into play, including its history, geographical location, weather, and the hard work of Puerto Rican farmers. If you want to learn more about why Puerto Rican coffee is so amazing, keep reading!
History:
Puerto Rico has a rich coffee history that dates back to the early 1700’s (some say 1736) when it was first introduced to the island. The first coffee plants were brought to the island by Spanish colonizers from neighboring Martinique. By the end of the 18th century the island produced more than a million pounds of coffee. In the early 19th century, Puerto Rican coffee became a major export crop for the island, becoming one of the top 6 coffee producing countries, but in the mid-20th century the coffee industry in Puerto Rico started to decline. Despite the challenges, Puerto Rican farmers continue to produce high-quality coffee and have proven that coffee is still an important part of Puerto Rican culture.
Geographical Location:
Puerto Rico’s mountainous terrain provides the perfect location for growing coffee. Coffee plants thrive best at high elevations, which is why most of the coffee farms are located in the mountainous interior of the island. The soil is rich with nutrients and the climate is perfect for growing coffee plants. Puerto Rican coffee beans are grown at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 feet above sea level, ensuring optimal growing conditions. At Hacienda Iluminada, home of 787 Coffee, we grow our coffee at an average altitude of 3,000 ASL.
Weather:
Puerto Rico's tropical climate is perfect for growing coffee. The temperature ranges from 70°F to 80°F, and the humidity is high throughout the year. The coffee plants also benefit from the rainfall, which is plentiful in the mountainous regions of the island and ensures a steady supply of water for these delicate plants. Because of these ideal weather conditions, Puerto Rican coffee beans have a distinctive flavor that sets them apart from other coffee beans. Puerto Rican coffee beans are known for high dark chocolate and buttery, creamy notes.
Puerto Rican Humans:
Puerto Rican coffee wouldn't be amazing without the working hands of the farmers who grow and harvest the beans. These farmers take great pride in their work, and it shows in the quality of the coffee they produce. Many of these farmers are third or fourth-generation coffee growers, which means they have inherited the knowledge and skills necessary to produce the best coffee possible. They use traditional methods to handpick the ripest coffee cherries, ensuring that only the finest beans are selected. It’s not a job for the amazing humans that work in agriculture, in Puerto Rico, particularly at Hacienda Iluminada, in Maricao, it’s a life style, a heritage.
Puerto Rico is part of the united States federal system, therefore, employees make same federal minimum wage that any other state in the USA. This applies to our coffee farmers. All our co-workers at the farm are making more than the federal mandated per hour rate.
Hacienda Iluminada’s Coffee: Better growing processes, a grand history of coffee, committed farmers, paid more than 99% of coffee farmers around the world, the perfect terrain, sustainable practices, eco-friendly and lots of love for coffee, animals, nature and self connection. These are some of the reasons why our coffee is so special.
If it’s GOOD for earth, it is GOOD FOR YOU!
Puerto Rican coffee is amazing for so many reasons. It has a rich history, is grown in a perfect location, thrives in ideal weather conditions, and is produced by skilled farmers who care about their craft. If you haven't tried Puerto Rican coffee yet, we highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed! Remember, every cup of coffee tells a story, and Puerto Rican coffee has its own unique story to tell. Cheers to better coffee and better health!
Next time you come to Puerto Rico come visit our coffee farm, Hacienda Iluminada, we love showing you around and it gives YOU a completely different perspective of what the art of growing, processing and roasting coffee really is.