Sandra Farms Coffee

How Sandra Farms Is Changing Puerto Rico’s Coffee Culture - AFAR

"Situated in the midwestern mountains of Adjuntas about two hours southwest of San Juan, this 225-acre coffee estate sits at 2,500 feet and is reached via narrow, winding roads with steep drop-offs. Purchased in 1994 by Sandra and Israel Gonzalez and selling coffee since 2001, the operation emphasizes traditional, sustainable practices—using zero fossil fuels and recycling biomass and compost—while producing both naturally processed coffees (dried whole for three to six weeks, yielding fuller, fruitier cups) and washed coffees (a faster, less labor-intensive method). The farm offers guided tours twice daily Tuesday through Sunday that take visitors from seedling to bean, explain adaptations to climate change, and include tastings led by longtime employee and guide Carmelo Rodriguez, who has worked there since 2010 and showcases the different production methods; staff express an optimistic outlook for the future." - Herson Guerrero