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My husband Taylor and I spent a week in Puerto Rico — it was not nearly enough time, but I was glad to return to this beautiful island again. Unfortunately, the Catano ferry to Old San Juan was not running, but we still were able to explore the walled portion of the city, and I had plenty of opportunities to practice my Spanish! The highlights of the trip (aside from beach time, of course) were horseback riding in El Yunque and the Sandra Farms coffee tour we went on near Adjuntas. I’m not really a coffee person, but Taylor is, and the Puerto Rico coffee tour experience was worth it for the views alone. It was about a two hour trek into the mountains, but look how scenic! Our tour guide, Carmelo, was very knowledgeable about the entire coffee making process. He started off by showing us what the coffee plant looks like in various stages, and how to tell which beans will provide the best coffee. The darker, more purple beans are highly desired, but cherry red ones are still good. The pale, green beans can still be used to make coffee, but the quality is not as high.In addition to detailing the wonders of coffee, Carmelo pointed out every one of the many other products they grow on the farm. Ginger, sugar cane, passion fruit, peaches, cacao, and so much more! It was amazing seeing the abundance.
The farm also boasts a plethora of flowers, including my fave (sunflowers).
Carmelo has been involved in all stages of production, from picking beans to processing the coffee to welcoming guests. At the farm, “everyone helps out with everything” — even the owners, Sandra and Israel Gonzalez. During busy season, which roughly starts in October, they need 15 people working the farm… but right now only have 9.
Carmelo talked extensively about the damage that Hurricane Maria did to the farm when it hit in 2017; more than half of their coffee plants were demolished, resulting in a lack of coffee product. The effects of COVID have also made it difficult to sustain their production. However, they have made it through.
Their daily coffee tours, their AirBnb, and their other products have helped.
Of course, the best part came last… getting to sample some of their coffee! Carmelo told us that they send a sample of their product to an independent organization that rates boutique coffee on a scale of 100, and they came in at 92, which is extremely impressive! Sandra Farms is committed to only sourcing the best beans, and they hire local women to hand-separate the best beans (which they use) from the imperfect beans, which they sell at a loss to other businesses.
As I said before, I’m not a big coffee person… it’s too bitter, and I don’t think it helps me stay awake. But I will say, this coffee we sampled was not bitter at all, even drinking it black. Carmelo said that this is how it should be.
In addition to the delicious coffee, Carmelo gave us samples of the special chocolate product they make on the farm: Aficionado, which is chocolate with an infused coffee bean, ground or unground. It was delicious! We bought two bags to take home.
Sandra Farms is hoping to begin selling their coffee on their website again soon, and asked us to follow them on Facebook and watch their website for details. In the meantime, you can still buy their amazing unique chocolate.
I highly recommend a visit if you are ever in the area (or, really, in Puerto Rico). If you can’t make a visit happen soon, then buy some of their chocolate + coffee online! They guarantee that when you receive the coffee it will have been ground in 2 days or less. They are also super responsive over email, and open every day except Monday!