Nespresso released its first Puerto Rican coffee recently as part of its Reviving Origins program. The rare coffee, Cafecito de Puerto Rico, was produced in cooperation with the Hispanic Federation to help restore the island’s coffee crop.
The nation’s coffee industry was ravaged in 2017 when hurricanes Maria and Irma destroyed about 80% of the trees and harvest.
Working with the federation, global non-profit TechnoServe, and other organizations, Nespresso committed $1 million as part of a three-year program to revitalize the industry. The initiative is intended to help 1,500 farmers with training and mentoring in agronomic and business skills. The goal is to help farmers improve the quality and quantity of crop yields and boost income.
"Puerto Rico still needs our help, and it will take a tremendous effort from both private and public organizations to ensure efforts on the ground have a meaningful and lasting impact," said José Calderón, president of the Hispanic Federation. "We're pleased with the progress we're making, but it is only the beginning. With the help of Nespresso and its consumers, we're optimistic about the future of coffee on the island."
Cafecito de Puerto Rico, described as a zesty and intense coffee, is a limited-edition coffee. Consumers who donate to the Hispanic Federation from now through Oct. 27 will have first access to the coffee. Contributions to the Hispanic Federation support efforts with World Coffee Research and Puerto Rico Coffee Roasters to plant 2.25 million coffee trees in Puerto Rico. Nespresso also has committed 50,000 trees to this effort.
Interested buyers can click here for more information - nespresso.com/us/en/reviving-origins-coffee.
Nespresso's Reviving Origins program helps restore high-quality coffee production in regions around the world that are under threat due to political conflict, economic hardship or environmental disasters. In May 2019, Nespresso launched the Reviving Origins program with coffee from Colombia and Zimbabwe.