Flavour notes: Cranberries, red apples, spicy
Producer: Alexis Sánchez
Varieties: Parainema
Origin: El Paraiso
Altitude: 1600masl
Process: Rested in cherry, Washed
Alexis Sánchez is a dedicated coffee farmer who has been growing coffee for the past seven years. He lives with his partner and is the proud father of two children. As the third generation in his family to cultivate coffee, Alexis has deep roots in this tradition, having learned the craft from his father, who has had a lifelong passion for coffee. Alexis is also the brother of Danilo Sánchez, a key member of the Semilla project and fellow coffee farmer, which further emphasizes the family's strong ties to coffee cultivation.
Driven by the desire to provide for his family, Alexis emigrated to the United States to save money, eventually purchasing land and planting his own coffee farm, which spans 4 hectares. His aspirations for the future revolve around maintaining his farms in good productive condition while focusing on the quality of his coffee. This year marked a significant achievement for Alexis as he sold his coffee for the first time to a specialty market.
Cherries are picked by hand and put into tanks or plastic bags to undergo a first 45-hour fermentation. They are then pulped and fermented for an additional 45 hours. After fermentation, the beans are placed on covered raised beds to dry for 25 to 30 days. Once dried, the cherries are stored in hermetically sealed bags to maintain their quality.
For Alexis, growing coffee is more than just work; it represents a family tradition and a source of income for his loved ones. However, he faces numerous challenges in his role as a coffee farmer, including a labour shortage, the impacts of climate change, rising costs of supplies, and ongoing issues with pests and diseases.
Despite these challenges, Alexis remains focused on his goals for life, family, and work. He aims to manage his farms effectively while ensuring his family has a good quality of life and access to education.
