Ecuador Manuel Elfren Jimenez

Manuel Efren Jiménez Flores is a coffee producer from the community of El Airo, in Espíndola, Loja, Ecuador. Together with his wife, Elvia Rosillo Vicente, and their family, he runs Finca La Cascarilla. At La Cascarilla, coffee is grown under diverse shade trees. The main variety is Pache, representing 60% of production, complemented by Catuai and Bourbon. Manuel leads the agricultural work and fermentation, while his wife and daughters manage drying and commercialization. The family carefully processes the coffee using extended fermentations—up to 72 hours with salt—and a three-level solar drying system to protect quality. Our tasting/cupping notes for this second coffee come from our Q Grader, Monika. She'll always find at least 7 or 8 aromas, taste notes etc and then select the three she finds most pronounced to put on our bags. For this coffee she selected Passionfruit, Blackberry and Vanilla.