Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts

Friday, 11 October 2024

Mexican coffee

Mexico in 2025 was ranked the 10th biggest coffee producer in the world supplying 2.2% of the globe.
It's coffee-growing regions are spread over 16 states, but is concentrated in the southern central states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Puebla, which benefit from high altitudes (35% of Mexico’s coffee is grown at 900 m.a.s.l.), volcanic soil, and favorable climates. 

The main variety is shade grown arabica. 90% is washed processed.
Mexico is also one of the world’s largest exporters of organic-certified coffee.
Chiapas is the largest producer, known for chocolate and nutty notes, while Veracruz has a long history of coffee and produces mellow, often sweet, coffees. 
Oaxaca is noted for its traditional growing methods and a more complex profile with caramel and fruity notes. 


Key regions and their characteristics 

Chiapas: The southernmost state (on the Guatemalan border) and Mexico's largest coffee producer.
It offers a range of microclimates due to its varying altitudes  (1,300 and 1,700 m.a.s.l.). Often described as having flavors of chocolate, nuts, and citrus.

Veracruz: One of the oldest and largest coffee-growing regions.
The coffee is grown at altitudes between 1100-1600 meters above sea level, often on volcanic soil.
Known for mellow acidity, a full body, and notes of chocolate, caramel, and blueberry.

Oaxaca: Located between Chiapas and Veracruz.
Many farms continue traditional growing methods, with coffee grown at altitudes from 900-1650 meters.
Flavor profiles are often sweet with caramel notes, yellow fruits, and hints of floral and creamy body.

Puebla: Another major growing region, located in the central-south.
Benefits from high-altitude, rich soil, and a favorable climate. 

General characteristics of Mexican coffee 
Dominant species: Over \(97\%\) of Mexican coffee is Arabica.
Processing: The majority of exported coffee is washed, which contributes to bright and crisp flavors.
Growing methods: Many smallholder farmers belong to co-operatives. Sustainable techniques like shade-grown coffee and intercropping are used to improve soil health.
Altitude designation: Coffee labeled "Altura" indicates it was grown at high altitudes, resulting in slower maturation and more complex flavors.
Flavor profile: Generally, Mexican specialty coffee is considered smooth and balanced, with a range of flavors from nutty and chocolatey to bright and fruity, depending on the region. 

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Coffee index. Click here :

Thursday, 19 July 2018

Uxmal - Mexico

The zone was first settled in 500AD and Uxmal was founded c. A.D. 700.

It's 62 kilometers south of Merida, in the Santa Elena valley, forming the centre of the Puuc ("hill" or "chain of low mountains") region.

 This is the house or "Pyramid of the Magician" ...aka "Pyramid of the Soothsayer"

In the 9th and 12th centuries AD it became the seat of Mayan political and economic power.


, Uxmal is not laid out geometrically. Its space is organized in relation to astronomical phenomena, such as the rising and setting of Venus.

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The house of the magician rises 90.5 feet (27.6 metres) in three concentric sections.  The temple at the top section has a doorway in the form of a Chac mask. It is also known as the House of the Dwarf (“Casa del Enano”) because of an ancient legend stating that it was built overnight by an enchanted dwarf who then became the city’s ruler.
 

Uxmal is a dry grass savanna area. Water was provided by cenotes (wells formed by sinkholes in 
limestone understrata).






















 tHE Ballcourt - Pelota
 Constructed during the 9th and early 10th century.
Notice the "rings"
Pelota was a prestigious ceremonial activity and was associated with rulers and at the same time the humiliation of captives. The game was played with a solid rubber ball, whose diameter varied between 20cm and 35cm. The ball could only be touched with the hips, elbows and knees. Players wore leather protective clothing.




 The Cemetry Complex
 iTS not a real cemetery. The name comes from the relief's of skulls and crossed bones.












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Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Merida - Yucatan Mexico

Some pics of Merida in Mexico.
Mérida was founded in 1542 by Montejo y León ("el Mozo") and named after the town of Mérida in Extremadura, Spain. It was built on the site of the Maya city of T'hó
  The castle cathedral (Cathedral of San Ildefonso) is huge and imposing. Dates from 1598. It was the first cathedral to be finished on the American mainland. A very severe and imposing structure that I read as a statement to show the power of the church.

The system of vaulting used throughout the building was based on the ideas of Andres de Vandelvira, first applied to the building of the cathedral of Jaen in Spain (1249).

Jaen Cathedral. It was built upon the ruins of a Mosque.
Merida's cathedral was probably built upon the Mayan ruins of T'ho... the Spanish using these conquered people as slaves during construction. It must have been terrible for the inhabitants to see their capital destroyed and this structure built on top.... just as in Mexico City.

 
The Cathedral was commissioned by Pope Pius IV. The architect was Juan Miguel de Aguero. He also built the fortifications of Havana Cuba and the Cathedral of Mexico City.

The crucifix inside is 25ft high. It's supposed to represent friendship between Mayans & the Church.
I found this a bit unsettling considering the building's history.

Wednesday, 7 September 2016

Palenque - Mexico

Situated in one of the northern states of Mexico (Chiapas), Palenqes famous for its Mayan ruins in the jungle.




Lots of climbing in the tropical heat.


There are 100s of ruins spread over 15 sq Kms.


A limestone relief from the "Patio de los Cautivos".... war captives.
A inscription on the stairway in House C mentions the birth of Pakal II (603AD) and a war that he waged against the Pomona.












An ancient Mayan football field.
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