Honduras Finca Joconte

Our latest discovery, Finca Joconte, is a testament to the power of dedication, sustainable practices, and a deep connection to the land. This Honduran coffee, grown by Balbino Cortez Pérez, is a true gem, offering a complex and captivating cup profile.

Balbino Cortez Pérez's passion for coffee is in his blood. He inherited his love for the craft from his father, continuing a family tradition that began in 1990. As a young and committed producer, Balbino approaches each day with enthusiasm, leading his team and meticulously overseeing every aspect of his 14-hectare farm, Finca Joconte, in San Andres.

Finca Joconte is a model of sustainable coffee farming. Balbino employs six permanent workers and an additional 30 during harvest, fostering a strong sense of community. He cultivates several premium varieties, including IHCAFE 90 (the varietal of this particular lot), Anacafé 14, Lempira, and Arará. His focus is on aligning his practices with the natural rhythms of the coffee plants.

This commitment to sustainability shines through in every detail:

• Shade-Grown: The entire farm operates under shade, promoting biodiversity and contributing to the coffee's unique flavour.
• Organic Fertilizers: Balbino uses organic fertilizers made from coffee pulp and other natural by-products, applied three times a year.
• Pest and Disease Management: Integrated pest management is key, utilizing cultural methods like trapping, monitoring, and biological controls (such as Beauveria bassiana for the coffee berry borer and a calcium-based Bordeaux mixture for rust).
• Water Conservation: Water is sourced from a natural spring, and efforts are made to minimize usage. Plans are in place to acquire an eco-friendly wet mill to further reduce consumption.
• Reforestation: The family plants trees annually for restoration purposes.
• Diversification: The Farm also grows timber and musaceae plants.

Finca Joconte's unique flavour profile is a direct result of Balbino's meticulous processing methods. After hand-harvesting the ripest cherries, they undergo a 72-hour anaerobic fermentation in barrels. This crucial step enhances the coffee's complexity and sweetness. The cherries are then washed to remove impurities and carefully dried in solar dryers for 20-29 days, maintaining a constant temperature of 24 degrees Celsius to preserve quality and achieve an ideal moisture content of 11%. Finally the beans are stored on Balbinos property in GrainPro bags to preserve their quality.

The result of all this care and attention? A coffee with an impressive SCA cup score of 86 and a truly captivating flavour profile. Expect vibrant notes of blueberry and dried mango, complemented by the warm spice of rum, the sweetness of toffee, and a rich cacao finish. It's a complex and rewarding cup that will delight you.

Balbino, like many coffee producers, faces the increasing challenges of climate change. Variations in weather patterns, associated with El Niño and La Niña, bring severe droughts and excessive rainfall, leading to increased pests and diseases. To combat these challenges, Balbino implements soil conservation, maintains ground cover, establishes barriers, and carefully regulates shade – all crucial steps for long-term sustainability.

Finca Joconte is more than just a coffee; it's a reflection of Balbino Cortez Pérez's dedication, his family's legacy, and a commitment to sustainable farming practices. We are incredibly proud to offer this exceptional coffee at Forge Valley Roasters.

Indulge in the rich flavours of Finca Joconte and support a truly remarkable producer. Order yours today!