Producer: Nando Diaz
Farm: Finca El Retiro
Region: Chimaltenango Department
Altitude: 5,741 feet | 1,750 masl
Varietal: Bourbon
Process: Washed
Roast: Light
Notes: Peanut Brittle, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon

Cimarrona is a Bourbon mutation that Anacafé (Guatemala's National Coffee Association) identified at El Retiro several years ago. One noticeable difference is that the cherries are more compact and have less mucilage than Bourbon. Seeds from these trees were collected and planted in a new location at El Retiro that is now thriving.

Finca El Retiro, in Chimaltenango, has been passed down through generations of Fernando Diaz's family since the mid-19th century:

"El Retiro del Quisaya and its sister farm Finca La Merced have been the property of the Alburez family since 1832, when it was purchased by Francisco Alburez, who then passed down the farms to his daughter María Alburez de Ortega, who was a very hard working woman. She married Manuel Ortega y Carrascal. In her time, the main products of the farms were corn and black beans.

"The farms were passed down to their son, Carlos Ortega Alburez, who managed it from the age of 16. He was a visionary who was always looking for ideas to improve, so he planted the first coffee trees in 1912.

"With the earthquake of 1976, the municipality of San Martín Jilotepeque was isolated by landslides. The farm's main house and church were among the buildings that fell. Carlos and his wife, Balbina, had to abandon the area in 1981 due to regional conflict.

"Afterward, the fourth generation returned and ran the farms as of 1996. This family heritage continues today. We, the children and grandchildren of Carlos and Balbina, are dedicated to keeping this tradition alive."

Nando is a longtime Direct Trade partner of our sister company, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. Finca Santa Ana has had multiple Cup of Excellence appearances, including #4 in 2010 and #16 in 2015. The carefully supervised quality control at the farm is evident in the cup. We're pleased to introduce our first offering from Nando's Finca El Retiro!