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In Western Mexico, in the State of Nayarit, the extinct volcano Cerro San Juan rises high above the Matatipac valley and the lush sugar-cane fields surrounding the city of Tepic. On these slopes, at 4000 feet above sea level, lie the coffee orchards of Malinal. Here, prevailing winds, westerly, from the Pacific form moisture laden clouds that sustain a high altitude rain forest so favored by the worlds best coffees. Present day Malinal occupies the site of the original coffee hacienda, built by German immigrants in the 1800's. Malinal coffee growers still harvest coffee from many of the same Arabica Tipica trees that supplied European markets over 100 years ago. Why have we chosen Malinal as Coffee of the Year ? Malinal coffees growers work in harmony with nature taking full advantage of the benefits of shade growth cultivation. Utilizing the natural shade of the rain forest canopy, Malinal coffee growers lessen their impact on the delicate ecosystem, in effect protecting the rain forest and its living habitat. With more birds and natures insects in abundance, the necessity for pesticides and herbicides is reduced or completely eliminated. While shade grown coffee produces a slightly smaller crop per plant, the increase in sugar content makes Malinal one of the sweetness natural cups that the world of coffee has to offer.
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