Cafe Montebello
A good
coffee plantation emphasizes the importance towards sustainable methods.
The region where the best plantation are located is known as the heart of coffee country in
Puerto Rico. It is in the west central mountains of Puerto Rico in a dense
tropical forest with an elevation from 1000 to approximately 3000 and ascending to over
4000 feet of elevation at La Puntita, the highest point of the island.
Plantation
owners have the endorsement and support of the state and place the plantation property
under an environmental protection program limiting the area to be used
for coffee growing in exchange for tax incentives. |
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Only the ruby red ripe berries are picked, to obtain the best gourmet
coffee and lower acidity. |
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The prized Puerto Rico Bourbon Arabica bean produces the a unique
rich flavor, sweet aroma and cocoa undertone. |
Tall
trees and steep slopes
are part of this unique forest. |
Puerto
Rico Bourbon Arabica Bean Coffee trees thrive under the rain forest canopy. The fruit
trees, native forest and wild flowers are important for a balanced ecosystem, attractive
to native and migratory birds. |
Drying platform in the hacienda
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The skin and pulp are removed from the coffee berries,
operated device, they are fermented in spring water for 24 hours to remove organic gel
like pulp called 'mucilago', (coffee beans that are processed without removing the skin
and pulp before drying; fermenting shell on, will result in coffee, that is more acidic).
The de-pulped fermented beans are washed, then placed on platforms to sun dry for 7 to 10
days. |
Pine Forest Area
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The
forest is home to the many and abundant species of songbirds. |
Dense Forest Area
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| Although Puerto Rico lost many of its coffee trees during hurricane
Georges a few years ago, the hacienda survived the onslaught thanks to these sturdy pine
trees. The pine needles provide naturally layered mulch. |
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| The reddish new sprouts typical of the Arabica Bourbon Puerto Rico
coffee tree, on the left, is cultivated to make our world famous coffee. The Arabica
Bourbon (green sprouts), is on the right. To a local grower they are easily
distinguishable. The tree canopy and the ground cover provided by the fallen pine
needles are perfect for the development of young Arabica coffee trees. |
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Grapefruit
trees abound all about the hacienda tower over the Arabica coffee bean trees. |
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| Cleopatra Tangerines on the plantation are beautiful, impressive and
provide a tasty citrus treat. There are literally thousands of tiny Cleopatra tangerines
on each of these two trees. When in bloom, the scent attracts the wild forest bees very
important in the pollination of the main crop, the coffee trees.
Orange trees in bloom, also fill the air with sweet aroma. |
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Bougainvillea |
Lichee tree in bloom |
Red Ginger |
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Left - Private collection of hand crafted Santos figurines of The Three
Kings
Right - The Puerto Rican Cuatro, and more Three
Kings crafts.
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