F & E Coffee: Honduras, Finca Altos De Erapuca, Washed

A delicious and versatile coffee suited for all brew methods. This coffee is also ideal as a single origin espresso.

Finca Altos de Erapuca is a new coffee farm and was established in 2008 and in December 2014 only its second crop was harvested. Previously the land had been given over to cattle but with an altitude of 1,300 to 1,360 meters above sea level, owner Carlos Refrain Paz Sevilla, recognised the land’s great potential for producing coffee. With many years’ experience in coffee, through the management of other family farms, Carlos planted the farm entirely with the premium Catuai variety.

The farm is located in Copan, on the slopes of Honduras’s second highest mountain – Erapuca. It’s a dramatic volcano-like mountain with its conical shape and though the slopes don’t benefit from mineral rich volcanic ash, the land is fertile with rich soils.

Following careful red cherry selection by specially trained pickers, the post-harvest operations of washing, drying and milling take place further down the mountain.