• 
• 

Finca Carmen

Efrain Franceschi, an attorney, and his wife, Carmen, purchased land in 1950 in the village of Volcan on the northern slope of 3,475-meter-high (11,398-foot-high) Baru Volcano, one of the highest volcanos in Central America. With their long cherished dream of living in a country side and running a coffee farm, away from an urban life with heavy work load, and after a long last seeking the best place for them, they finally found this Paso Ancho Valley in the Village of Volcan. Efrain named the farm after his wife, Carmen.

Carlos Aguilera Franceschi, a nephew, is the current owner who used to play at the farm as a child. The traditions of the Franceschi Clan have been passed down to Carolos, who believes that the coffee farm must protect and improve the lives of local Indios and the surrounding environment. Carmen Farm has been certified by the Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization founded to support sustainable agriculture and of conserve rainforests. 

Coffee Specially Reserved for the Family

Carlos and Jose have been amigos long before but Jose had not had a chance to visit Carlos’s farm. In 2006, when Jose went to Panama for the first time, he visited many farms in the Village of Volcan—which is known as a famous coffee producing region. He was not impressed.

When Jose arrived at Carlos’s farm, a strong feeling came back to him that he had not felt for years. Here in this farm there were coffee trees waiting for Jose. Carlos and Jose walked from one corner of the farm to the other. Jose saw Carlos’ ingenuity and love for coffee everywhere. On a steep slope slightly lower from the highest farming section, Jose saw a bunch of Caturra coffee trees basking in sunlight through the openings of foliage.

Jose went into the trees as if called by them. The soil was soft as cotton. The other agronomical conditions were perfect. Jose looked back at Carlos who said with a satisfactory smile, “Here is where the finest coffee is produced and reserved for our family’s own use.”

In 2008 Jose visited Carlos to explain his Gran Cru concept. Jose was confident that Carlos would accept his idea that the coffee reserved for his family be given a chance to debut as Grand Cru Cafe. Jose’s requirements were stringent although Carmen Farm’s reputation was well established. Jose was wondering if Carlos would get up and walk away as he spoke. When Jose finished, Carlos stood up, shook Jose’s hand and expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the whole family for selecting Reserva de Familia as Grand Cru Cafe.

Carmen Farm produces 1,200 bags, about 7 metric tons (15,400 bls) annually. In 2008 the crop that came to Japan as Grand Cru Cafe was 1.4% of the total crop.