Honduras - San Francisco (2025)

Finca San Francisco is one of three parcels of land inherited by Roger Antonio Domínguez Márquez from his father. Like its neighbors, Las Flores and La Cueva, it comprises around 4 hectares at 1,300 meters, an optimal elevation for this part of western Honduras.

The farm is mostly planted with three varieties - bourbon, caturra, and catuaí - along with some more recent additions like gesha and parainema. This lot in particular is entirely red bourbon, which we've come to prefer over the years for its consistent sweetness and depth when processed as a natural.

The natural process is the oldest and most rudimentary processing method for coffee, but a challenging one to carry out at the highest standard of quality. Naturals have become increasingly popular in Honduras in recent years, though unseasonal rains presented challenges this year.

Producing a coffee like this begins with the most exacting standards. Perfectly ripe fruits are hand-picked and laid out in thin layers on raised platforms to dry via sun and air for several weeks. During this time the coffee is carefully and very routinely turned. Afterwards, the dried fruit is sent to a dry-mill where it is hulled to remove the fruit husk and parchment. Roger takes an additional step of sending samples to be analyzed for quality by IHCAFE, Honduras's national coffee growers' federation.

Honduras produces quite a lot of coffee - ranking fifth globally and first among the Central American countries - but has historically lacked the infrastructure necessary to meet its potential. In the last 25 years the country has made incredible progress in developing its specialty coffee sector thanks to the talent and determination of young farmers like Roger.