Region: La Libertad, Huehuetenango
Variety: Caturra & Bourbon
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1300-1600m
Notes: Pear, vanilla, macadamia.

Finca La Bolsa is managed by Maria Elena Vides and is located in La Libertad, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The farm was established in 1958 by Jorge Vides, the current family grandfather, who purchased the land covered in forests and began cultivating Bourbon and Caturra coffee varieties. Despite being a full-time doctor, Jorge’s true passion lay in farming. His dedication to healthcare led him to become the Director of the National Hospital of Huehuetenango, which now bears his name. His commitment extended beyond coffee, as he founded a school on the farm in 1980, which is still operational and recognised by the Ministry of Education. In 2001, the second and third generations took over, focusing exclusively on producing specialty coffee.

The farm produces approximately 152,000 kilograms of green coffee annually, with the harvest occurring between December and April. The lot consists of a blend of Caturra and Bourbon varieties. Coffee cultivation is carefully managed, with the picking season varying according to altitude. Fertilization is conducted from March to October, with three applications tailored to soil test results. The farm organic material averages 5%. Weed control is carried out strategically to facilitate other farming activities. New coffee plants are typically introduced between April and June, aligning with the first rains of the season.

Coffee processing at Finca La Bolsa is a meticulous process aimed at ensuring high quality. The coffee is manually picked based on maturity and Brix levels. After a 24-hour pre-fermentation period in the picking bags, the coffee is weighed, sorted, de-pulped, and fermented for 15 to 24 hours, depending on the climate. The drying process lasts 15 to 18 days, with the coffee being moved regularly to ensure even drying. After processing, the coffee is stored in nylon bags at the farm warehouse before being transported to the dry mill, where it is meticulously tracked for traceability.

Finca La Bolsa does not produce any other crops. The impact of climate change, particularly in temperature and rain distribution, has led to the development of a flowering index that guides farm activities. Financially, the farm faces challenges due to rising production costs, labour shortages, and inflation. To stay competitive, the farm focuses on high-quality production in its middle and high-altitude areas while increasing productivity in lower-altitude areas using resistant coffee varieties.