The Future of Coffee: Sustainability and Innovation at 787 Coffee
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Hello, coffee lovers!
Ever thought about where your favorite single origin coffee comes from? At 787 Coffee, it is our DNA to never forget the roots where we planted our coffee seeds. More than just providing you with freshly roasted coffee, we're passionately dedicated to pioneering the future of the coffee industry. The future we are leading today is our promise to sustainability, innovation, and a farm to cup experience.
Why Sustainability Is The Future
Once upon a time, "sustainability" might have sounded like a nice-to-have, but today, especially in the world of specialty coffee, it's a non-negotiable must-have. We face a critical truth our planet earth is in a critical state, from climate change to resource depletion. For coffee, is a deeply sensitive fruit to environmental shifts, this means the very future of coffee hangs in the balance.
Think about it: extreme weather patterns like droughts or heavy rains can devastate coffee trees, affecting farmers' livelihoods and driving up prices for all our caffeinated humans. Unsustainable farming practices can strip the soil of nutrients, harm biodiversity, and contribute to deforestation.
We understand that to keep serving the best coffee all across America and soon the world! We must protect the source, our beautiful island that bears fruits of purpose. Choosing sustainable practices isn't just about being "green"; it's about ensuring the health of our earth, supporting our communities, and guaranteeing that future generations can also enjoy that perfect cup of single origin Puerto Rican coffee.
How Hacienda Iluminada Reduces Carbon Footprint and Enhances YOUR Flavor
At our farm Hacienda Iluminada, deep in the heart of Maricao, Puerto Rico. Is a beautiful ecosystem for sustainable coffee growing. Where every coffee cherry is hand picked, and every step of the coffee growing process helps reduce our carbon footprint while making our freshly medium roast coffee taste even better!
Shade-Grown Coffee: Our coffee trees are protected under a canopy of diverse native trees. The scene isn’t just captivating; it’s a safe house for the environment! The shade trees act as a natural carbon sink, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and helping combat climate change. They also create a stable microclimate, protecting the coffee plants from harsh sun and extreme temperatures, which allows the coffee cherries to ripen slower and develop more complex, and rich flavors.
Water Conservation: Water is life, and the most important resource for our coffee tress. We use smart irrigation techniques and natural water sources, carefully managing every drop. This minimizes waste and protects local ecosystems. Less water used means less energy needed to pump into local wells or reservoirs, and further reducing our carbon footprint
Composting and Organic Fertilizers: Instead of harsh chemicals, we enrich our volcanic soil with organic compost made right here on the farm. This nurtures healthy soil full of beneficial microorganisms, which are essential for growing strong, disease-resistant coffee trees. Healthy soil leads to healthier, more vibrant coffee cherries, contributing to that incredible depth of flavor in every sip of our specialty coffee.
Biodiversity: Our farm isn't just coffee trees; it's a thriving ecosystem. We encourage a wide variety of native plants and animals, which naturally control pests and pollinate our crops. This natural balance reduces the need for unnatural interventions that could harm the environment, maintaining the ecological harmony that makes the perfect environment for the best coffee to grow.
These practices aren't just good for Mother Earth; they're integral to the superior taste of our single origin coffee. The healthy soil, balanced ecosystem, and slow maturation under shade all contribute to the distinct, rich, and authentic flavors that 787 Coffee is known for.
The Art of Fermentation: Crafting Future Flavors, Sustainably
Fermentation might sound like a cool science experiment (because it is!), but it's where much of the magic happens in coffee flavor development. At Hacienda Iluminada, we’re pushing the boundaries of coffee processing, and experimenting approaches to create a more sustainable practice.
Current Fermentation Prowess: We specialize in the honey process, a unique and sustainable method that sets our specialty Puerto Rican coffee apart. Instead of using thousands of gallons of water to wash the sticky fruit mucilage off the coffee beans, we leave a precise amount of it on as the coffee beans sunbathe on a African bed (a specialized lifted drying bed for coffee beans). As they dry, the natural sugars from the mucilage infuse directly into the coffee bean, creating an extraordinary flavor profile. This approach conserves a water while coaxing out incredible notes of dark chocolate, citrus, and a smooth buttery finish that you can't get with other methods.
The Future of Practices: Precision and Eco-Efficiency: We're constantly researching and investing in fermentation techniques that use less water and energy, and create valuable byproducts. This could include using starter cultures ( a group of specific, healthy microbes like in winemaking or brewing) for even more controlled and consistent flavor development, or even finding ways to turn coffee pulp from fermentation into fertilizer or renewable energy. The goal is to perfect flavor while minimizing our environmental impact, making our specialty coffee not just delicious, but truly guilt-free.
Building a Brighter Future, One Coffee Bean at a Time
The innovation doesn't stop with our current coffee practices. We are all excited about our projects and ambitious goals that will shape the future of coffee for years to come.
Eco-Retreat Cabins: Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and the sounds of coqui, right on our farm! We're developing stunning eco-retreat cabins where you can truly immerse yourself in the farm to cup experience, learn about sustainable farming firsthand, and disconnect from the city!
Educational Partnerships: We believe in sharing knowledge. Hacienda Iluminada is becoming an "outdoor laboratory," partnering with universities and researchers. Students will gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, soil science, and environmental conservation, ensuring the next generation of farmers and innovators are well-equipped.
The Robusta Revolution: A New Coffee Frontier: For years, Arabica has been the king of specialty coffee for its nuanced flavors. But climate change poses a significant threat to Arabica, which grows only in specific conditions, like higher-altitude and specific amount of sunlight. That's where Robusta coffee beans come in!
What are Robusta beans? Robusta is another major species of coffee, known for its strong resilience, bold flavor and higher caffeine content.
Why are they more resilient? Robusta plants are tough! They can grow in hotter climates, at lower altitudes, and are more resistant to diseases and pests, making them a more sustainable choice as our climate changes.
The Future of Arabica: While we adore Arabica which makes up 60 % of coffee consumed in the world, its vulnerability means we must explore alternatives. Developing high-quality Robusta is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the global coffee supply.
Our Goal: Our ambitious mission is to cultivate a Robusta coffee bean right here at Hacienda Iluminada that carries the signature taste profile of our beloved Arabica: those rich dark chocolate, bright citrus, and smooth buttery notes. This would be a game-changer, offering a resilient, sustainable coffee with Maricaos signature flavors you expect from 787 specialty coffee
Join Us on Our Mission!
The journey of coffee sustainability is a continuous one, filled with innovation, dedication, and a deep love for our EARTH. At 787 Coffee, we are committed to being at the forefront of this movement, ensuring that every cup of our best coffee beans not only taste memorable, but also supports a healthier world.
If it's good for Earth, it's good for YOU.
Join us on our mission to build a better future, one cup at a time. Explore our freshly roasted coffee and learn more about our sustainable practices at 787 Coffee!
Be a CAFFEINATED HUMAN.
Be a creative human. Be a good human.
Be a NuevaYOL Caffeinated Human.
To summarize…
1. Sustainability is Our Foundation
At 787 Coffee, we believe that for coffee to have a future, it must be grown sustainably. Our farm, Hacienda Iluminada, practices shade-grown farming, conserves water, and uses organic fertilizers. These methods not only protect the environment but also enhance the quality and flavor of our single origin coffee beans.
2. Innovation in Flavor and Farming
We are always pushing innovation, exploring new fermentation techniques like the honey process to create unique and complex flavors. We are also looking to the future by researching and cultivating a new variety of Robusta coffee bean that is more resilient to climate change, with the goal of achieving the same great taste as our Arabica coffee.
3. Building a Sustainable Future
Beyond the farm, we are building a community-focused future through projects like eco-retreat cabins and educational partnerships. Our ultimate mission is to prove that by making choices that are "good for Earth," we can produce the best coffee while ensuring a thriving future for the entire industry.
