Origin – Honduras

Origin Honduras

While Garden Coffee will always offer great coffees from all over the world, Honduran coffee is our specialty.

Origin. The geography of Honduras is ideal for growing coffee. Today Honduras is the seventh largest producer of coffee in the world, behind much larger countries, such as Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. In 2011, Honduras became Central America’s top producer of coffee. Best of all, the high quality of Honduras coffee has allowed it to obtain world-wide recognition, and specialty coffee brands are now actively seeking and purchasing high-quality coffee from Honduras.

Elevation. The higher the elevation, the better the coffee. The Honduran government, in an effort to “brand” Honduran coffee, has become more particular about labeling “Strictly High Grown” (SHG) coffee also labeled “Strictly Hard Bean” (SHB). The higher the altitude at which it is grown, the denser the bean. This coffee grows more slowly than coffee beans grown at lower altitudes, adding to the price. To meet the SHG (or SHB) criteria, the coffee must be grown at 4900 to 6400 feet. Soil. The rich volcanic Honduran soils are ideal for growing quality coffee.
Climate. Honduran coffee grown in shade is superior to the coffee grown in direct sun.  Adequate rainfall (Honduras has little irrigation to speak of) is critical for a successful crop. Harvest. Great coffees are pricey for a reason. To reach its fullest maturity, flavor and taste, a bean is best picked at its peak ripeness. Since coffee beans don’t ripen uniformly, multiple pickings offer the best coffee bean rather than a one-time, ‘strip the bush’ approach.