The last few days we have been working with our friends here in Antigua, Guatemala. In addition to seeing the farms, visiting the mills and talking about this year’s harvest, we also spent a few hours yesterday discussing soil. Like all crops coffee requires consistent care of the soil. Here at the San Sebastian farm soil samples are taken every other month. The foundation for their soil is volcanic because San Sebastian is situated on the slopes of two volcanoes. This type of soil is great for growing coffee. The pH of the soil in the most recent reading was 6.03 – which is slightly acidic. The best pH level for coffee tree health and quality production of cherries is slightly acidic (neutral being a pH of 7). We will be producing a full report of our soil research when we return.
Cheers from Antigua, Guatemala,
Eric