Elbia Lopez is a proud and active member of the Qawale Program, an initiative launched by Vides58 five years ago in San Pedro Necta to support and empower women in coffee production. As a leader in this traditionally male-dominated field, Elbia manages La Garita with dedication and precision. Her focus on implementing consistent fertilization and pruning programs has led to noticeable improvements in coffee quality year after year. Her commitment to excellence is evident in every step of her farming and processing practices. The Qawale Program, developed by Vides58, provides ongoing technical support through a dedicated team of agronomists. Each producer receives a tailored farm management plan designed to maximize productivity and quality based on the unique conditions of their land. Elbia’s washed coffee undergoes a carefully managed multi-stage fermentation process designed to enhance clarity and sweetness. After selective handpicking, the ripe cherries are fermented in sealed bags for 36 hours to initiate microbial activity. They are then depulped, and the beans are transferred to a dry fermentation tank, where they rest for an additional 48 hours. Once fermentation is complete, the coffee is thoroughly washed and sorted using correteo, a manual selection process that ensures only first-quality beans are retained.

Brew Method

1 gram of freshly ground coffee to 16-17g water / Slurry temperature (coffee+water): 200 - 205 ̊F – 93 - 96 ̊C / Extraction: 20 - 21% / TDS 1.38-1.41%