Farm Name: Los Placeres
Region: Matagalpa
Micro-region: Yasica Sur
Year founded: 19XX
Founder: XX
Current Owner: Dr. Erwin Mierisch
Altitude: 900-1200 meters
Shade Trees: Guava, Laurel Negro, Poro, Nogal, banana trees, other native varieties.
Rainfall per Year: 3,625mm in 2005
Mucilage Removal: Fermentation for approximately 36 hours then hand washed with fresh water.
Varieties Grown: Caturra 65%, Catuai 15%, Maragoipe 10%, Bourbon 10%
Processing Method: 95% Fully Washed, 5% Natural
Drying Method: Sun Dried - Patios
Flowering Period: 3 flowerings 1st=Jan/Feb(Crazy Flowering) 2nd=Mid-March 3rd = May/June
Harvesting Period: December-March
Harvesting Method: Hand Picked, ripe cherries only, no stripping, 3 passes per tree over the harvest period
General Information:
The name of this farm means pleasures, and when you taste this coffee that is what you will experience.
The farm sits on a mountain ridge and when standing at the highest point of the farm, you cannot help but be overwhelmed with the majesty of the surrounding peaks and the beauty of the forest that extends to the valley below.
Los Placeres is blessed with a pure, fast-flowing spring that permits an extremely clean washing of our coffee.
We take pride in being environmentally and socially responsible and are always looking for new ways to improve our efforts.
Environmental Projects:
We
have built biodigesters from which we have usable gases that are used
to fuel the kitchens which lessens the deforestation that is associated
with wood burning stoves.
Every
year we reforest by planting native trees in order to preserve the
wildlife that calls the farm home. We also do not alow hunting of any
kind on the farm, which has led to an increase in wildlife, for example
sloths and many species of birds.
We use organic composting every chance we get. We use the cherry mucilage from the past crop as one of the main components in this compost. Further, we have worm beds in which humic acid is produced. In layman's terms, humic acid, is an organic fertilizer which is very rich and beneficial to plants.
Social Projects:
We have an established Child Daycare program. This gives working mothers access to childcare on the farm. Infants, toddlers and children have a place for food and healthcare, while engageing in educational activities. The nursery employs women from the community to care for the children. The nursery is used most actively during harvest months, which coincide with school vacation, December to February. This is a great option for families who have come to the farm temporarily for the harvest season.
