Carmen Estate

Carmen Estate has been producing and exporting high-quality arabica coffee for over 50 years. Carlos Aguilera represents the third generation of his family to carry on this tradition. The estate was founded by his grandparents, Efrain and Carmen Franceschi, in 1960 and by 2014, the farm qualified for the C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices certification, meaning it operates according to the principles of economic transparency, social responsibility and sustainable agricultural practices. The harvest is carried out by members of the local indigenous people, the Nôbe-Buglé, which is immediately followed by processing. The farm works with low water consumption mechanical de-pulpers and the wastewater and biomass generated during processing are recycled. The best part of the de-pulped coffee cherry husk is used to make high-quality cascara. After wet processing, the beans are firstly dried on patios and then the drying is finished with the help of mechanical dryers.