Altura Superior Specialty Mexican Coffee, A Tradition Of Cup Excellence
Altura Superior is one of the best known coffees from Mexico and for good reason: excellent cup, deep to medium body, just plain delicious.
The majority of Mexican coffee is produced in the southern part of the country.
Vera Cruz state, on the gulf side of the central mountain range, is known for "lowland coffees.
" Coffees called Altura Coatepec are from the higher mountains of the state.
Oaxaca State, located on the opposite side of the southern slopes of the central mountain range, produces coffees marketed under the names Oaxaca or Oaxaca Puma.
Chiapas State, in the mountains of the southeastern corner of Mexico, near the border with Guatemala, grows "Tapachula" coffee.
However, Altura Superior from Vera Cruz State remains a favorite of coffee lovers for its unequalled excellence and flavor.
Coffee arrived in Mexico in 1796 from the West Indies with plants brought from Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Commercial coffee cultivation began years later when German and Italian immigrants relocated from Guatemala and other Central American nations started coffee plantations for large production.
When the first coffee plantations appeared in the southeast state of Vera Cruz, the Aztec empire was a memory to cherish and remember.
At present, Mexico ranks high among world coffee exporters.
The Mexican government grades coffee based on the altitude where it is grown.
The majority of the Mexican coffee is processed by the wet method.
This helps ensure better acidity and body, important characteristics for coffee tasting, ranking, and premium pricing.
Altura Superior coffee benefits from the right altitude, climate and soil conditions to produce a cup that is quite remarkable.
Arabica coffee plants grow best at altitudes between 3,000 to 6,000 feet.
Such altitude protects the plants from parasites that cause problems at lower altitudes.
Temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for coffee growing.
The Arabica coffee plant is not suited for hot temperatures.
The Robusta coffee plant grows well in hotter and more humid conditions, at lower altitudes.
However, there is a world of difference between the quality of Arabica beans and Robusta beans.
Altura Superior coffee comes from Arabica coffee plantations in the "high" mountains around Coatepec in the central region of Vera Cruz state.
Generally speaking, the coffee growing area gets about 75 inches of rainfall per year.
Coffee plants do not do well if they "sit" in water for long periods of time.
Coffee plants need soil that drains well.
In areas with insufficient rainfall, coffee farmers use careful irrigation to provide adequate water for the coffee plants.
Altura Superior coffee benefits from Coatepec's yearly median temperature of 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
The warmest month is May (86°F) and the coolest month is January (48 °F).
Rainfall is more frequent and copious during June, so called the beginning of the rainy season, and in September, the end of the rainy season.
Overall, there are about 161 days with rain each year.
Fog is very common during winter months.
The combination of these weather patterns, moderate humidity and agreeable temperature year round contribute to strong and healthy coffee plants that yield Altura Superior beans.
So, what about a delicious cup of freshly roasted specialty gourmet Altura Superior Mexican coffee?
The majority of Mexican coffee is produced in the southern part of the country.
Vera Cruz state, on the gulf side of the central mountain range, is known for "lowland coffees.
" Coffees called Altura Coatepec are from the higher mountains of the state.
Oaxaca State, located on the opposite side of the southern slopes of the central mountain range, produces coffees marketed under the names Oaxaca or Oaxaca Puma.
Chiapas State, in the mountains of the southeastern corner of Mexico, near the border with Guatemala, grows "Tapachula" coffee.
However, Altura Superior from Vera Cruz State remains a favorite of coffee lovers for its unequalled excellence and flavor.
Coffee arrived in Mexico in 1796 from the West Indies with plants brought from Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Commercial coffee cultivation began years later when German and Italian immigrants relocated from Guatemala and other Central American nations started coffee plantations for large production.
When the first coffee plantations appeared in the southeast state of Vera Cruz, the Aztec empire was a memory to cherish and remember.
At present, Mexico ranks high among world coffee exporters.
The Mexican government grades coffee based on the altitude where it is grown.
The majority of the Mexican coffee is processed by the wet method.
This helps ensure better acidity and body, important characteristics for coffee tasting, ranking, and premium pricing.
Altura Superior coffee benefits from the right altitude, climate and soil conditions to produce a cup that is quite remarkable.
Arabica coffee plants grow best at altitudes between 3,000 to 6,000 feet.
Such altitude protects the plants from parasites that cause problems at lower altitudes.
Temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for coffee growing.
The Arabica coffee plant is not suited for hot temperatures.
The Robusta coffee plant grows well in hotter and more humid conditions, at lower altitudes.
However, there is a world of difference between the quality of Arabica beans and Robusta beans.
Altura Superior coffee comes from Arabica coffee plantations in the "high" mountains around Coatepec in the central region of Vera Cruz state.
Generally speaking, the coffee growing area gets about 75 inches of rainfall per year.
Coffee plants do not do well if they "sit" in water for long periods of time.
Coffee plants need soil that drains well.
In areas with insufficient rainfall, coffee farmers use careful irrigation to provide adequate water for the coffee plants.
Altura Superior coffee benefits from Coatepec's yearly median temperature of 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
The warmest month is May (86°F) and the coolest month is January (48 °F).
Rainfall is more frequent and copious during June, so called the beginning of the rainy season, and in September, the end of the rainy season.
Overall, there are about 161 days with rain each year.
Fog is very common during winter months.
The combination of these weather patterns, moderate humidity and agreeable temperature year round contribute to strong and healthy coffee plants that yield Altura Superior beans.
So, what about a delicious cup of freshly roasted specialty gourmet Altura Superior Mexican coffee?
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