Located in the picturesque region of San Luis de Grecia, Alajuela, nestled within the Cordillera Volcanica Central of Costa Rica's Central Valley, Cerro San Luis stands as a testament to the Delgado family's dedication to cultivating exceptional coffee.

The legacy of Cerro San Luis traces back through three generations of the Delgado family, with siblings Magali and Alexander Delgado carrying forward the traditions instilled by their predecessors.

The 45-hectare farm benefits from the region's volcanic soil and temperate climate, with temperatures averaging between 16 to 28 degrees. The farm has a remarkable selection of coffee varieties, in this case, it is the renowned SL28, coupled with meticulous honey processing that amplifies the character, depth and complexity of this beautiful lot.

Harvesting begins in the morning, with cherries promptly de-pulped upon arrival at the wet mill in the afternoon. The farm employs 100% sun-drying on African beds, both outdoors and in greenhouses, ensuring a slow, stress-minimised drying process. This honey lot is dried without washing to retain the sticky mucilage. Daily turning and moisture checks ensure quality, with drying times ranging from 12-16days until the coffee reaches 10-10.5% moisture. Stored in a wood-covered cement warehouse, coffee is packed in double plastic bags for optimal preservation.
Cerro San Luis has garnered recognition for its commitment to quality, with coffees from the farm ranking among the top 20 in Cup of Excellence competitions in previous years. Varied coffee varieties have been instrumental in this endeavour. Innovations such as the implementation of Brix analysis at Cerro San Luis have been pivotal in enhancing farm and coffee quality.

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Lunke Zegeye Dayechew enforces strict quality control measures at his farm, where red
cherries are carefully sorted upon arrival to remove immature and over-ripened ones before pulping. 

The cherries are pulped within six hours of harvesting and dried on special
raised African beds to ensure even airflow for optimal drying. To prevent mould and
fermentation, the cherries are regularly turned during drying. Once properly dried, the
outer skin and flesh are mechanically removed, and the green coffee is allowed to "rest" before being exported.

The natural forests in the area are not just a scenic backdrop, but a vital local food source. They particularly provide the Ventricosum plant, also known as 'Enset’ or ‘false banana,' which is abundant in the Sidama region. Enset, a large non-woody plant, plays a significant role in the local food supply, highlighting the importance of preserving these natural ecosystems for sustainable agriculture.

Lunke Zegeye Dayechew is dedicated to environmentally friendly farming practices, using natural materials and avoiding pesticides and chemicals in agricultural production.

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Farm: Engenho
Country: Brazil
Region: Mantiqueira de minas
Altitude: 1100 masl
Variety: Yellow Bourbon
Processing: Natural
Farmer: Jose Ronaldo Junqueira Dias

Sourced Through: Southland Merchants

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In the heart of Brazil, the 240-hectare Engenho Farm is a testament to the Carneiro family's commitment to producing exceptional coffee. Acquired in 1954, the farm has been nurtured through generations, landing in the capable hands of José Ronaldo, a coffee enthusiast and skilled heart surgeon. Despite his medical pursuits, José Ronaldo manages the farm with the same passion and precision that define its legacy. Engenho stands out due to its strategic location. The region experiences a well-defined dry season, crucial for coffee harvesting. The unique combination of altitude, topography, and soil composition creates an ideal environment for the slow maturation of coffee beans, resulting in distinctive flavours.

Diverse Coffee Varieties:
Cultivating a variety of coffee types—Yellow Bourbon, Red Bourbon, Catuaí, Acaiá, Icatu, and Catucaí—Engenho chooses each for specific traits suited to local conditions. This diversity ensures a resilient crop, resistant to diseases, and bursting with distinct flavors.

Sustainability in Action:

Engenho isn't just about coffee; it's about environmental care. Fenced water mines and ongoing tree planting showcase the farm's commitment to sustainability. This dedication extends to the community's well-being, with initiatives like assisting in employee transportation.

The Coffee Processing Journey:
Engenho's coffee processing is a meticulously crafted journey. From natural to pulped natural, washed to natural fermented, the beans undergo careful processing on patios and mechanical dryers.

About Southland Merchants

Nadia and Andre are Brazilian, passionate coffee lovers, partners in business and life and the founders and owners of Southland Merchants. They met in 2002 in a casual setting and instantly felt connected. Within a year, they established their first company and fell in love. Life in Brazil was great; they love the country and its people, the lifestyle and being with their families but they could not let go of the urge to venture out into the world and explore new places. Eventually they decided to embark on an adventure and to move overseas with their three girls. They wanted to find a place that would offer a bright future for their children, allow them to meet a new culture and learn another language. After a lot of research, they realised Australia would be the ideal destination. In 2017 Australia became their new home and in the same year they arrived they founded Southland Merchants. The company supplies Australian roasters with delicious Brazilian green coffee, full of stories and passion, and connects them back to their roots.