Coffee Dominican Republic

Coffee from the Dominican Republic - Directly Traded and Sustainably Cultivated

Our Dominican coffee from Kaffeerösterei Kirmse is guaranteed to be the highest quality coffee from the Dominican Republic and one of the best coffees in the world. Coffee roaster Jens Kirmse himself traveled to the Soto Santana families' coffee plantations in the north of the Dominican Republic for the coffee harvest and is enthusiastic and convinced by the quality and transparency surrounding the coffee product and the Santana Trading Company. With Kenny Santana, he explored the coffee and cocoa plantations of the Soto and Santana families in autumn 2015, picked ripe coffee cherries with the coffee farmers, accompanied the wet processing of the coffee and its drying in the Caribbean sun, and got to know the country and its people with him. Kenny Santana grew up in Germany and lives here most of the time.

However, he also has a large family based on the dream island – he regularly visits his 12 aunts and uncles, his grandmother, and the rest of the family in the Dominican Republic. It was also Kenny Soto Santana who took charge of coffee distribution and began to open up new sales markets and direct distribution channels to Germany. Since 1883, the Santana family has been involved in agriculture for four generations, cultivating coffee and cocoa.

Coffee from the Dominican Republic - The Highland Coffee

The journey of coffee roaster Jens Kirmse and Kenny Santana begins in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. Founded by Christopher Columbus in 1498, the metropolis is now home to 3 million people. They set off by car to the province of San José de Ocoa, into the highlands of the Dominican Republic. The drive leads through wild nature, over unpaved roads into the mountains of the tropical forests. After an hour's drive through the Caribbean jungle, they reach their first destination: Finca Don Juan. The term "coffee plantation" might suggest that the coffee trees were planted here side by side. But that's not the case: nestled in lush, natural vegetation, the coffee trees grow here at altitudes of 900m - 1200m on the sun-drenched slopes of the Dominican mountain landscape. The vegetation provides the coffee plants with everything they need to thrive: optimal climatic conditions and nutrient-rich, pure soil, but also shade. 

Juan Guerrero Soto, manager of the Finca, explains what makes the cultivation and the coffee from the Dominican Republic by the Soto Santana families special: "The organic cultivation of coffee is very important to us. The coffee is carefully harvested in pristine nature. The use of pesticides can and will be consciously avoided to guarantee you the highest quality coffee and to protect our environment, and thus us humans who live in it." 

Directly from the Farmer and with Social Commitment

The coffee from the Dominican Republic is guaranteed to be directly traded and free from any chemicals – an excellent, gently cultivated coffee in harmony with nature. Two families of the larger Soto Santana family are dedicated to coffee cultivation, and 20 families manage the cocoa plantations. They work daily with the goal of producing first-class quality green coffee and rely on traditional production methods. The families are knowledgeable about coffee cultivation and the coffee business – by tradition. In the past, due to high demand and the excellent, unique quality of their coffee, the family business gained a foothold in the domestic market, opening its own coffee house in 1905 and expanding rapidly. However, in the 1970s, coffee prices dropped, and coffee exports collapsed. Like many coffee farmers around the equator, the Soto Santana families suffered immensely under the pressure of the large coffee industry. Innovation in coffee cultivation and production came through a successful generational change within the family – bringing new life into the family business. 

The new generation has successfully managed to realize modern, fair coffee trade and focuses on "Direct Trade." Through "Direct Trade," the long-awaited mountain road could finally be built. Previously, most of the coffee beans from the 97-hectare Finca Don Juan coffee plantation had to be transported into the valley by donkey. Thanks to direct coffee trade, it is now finally possible for the coffee farmers to live with dignity from coffee cultivation and earn a decent income, for which their fathers and grandfathers already worked. 

Improvement of Coffee, Infrastructure, and Healthcare

These are the stated goals of the Soto Santana families: Coffee and Cocoa: The improvement and refinement of products in cultivation and processing. 

Infrastructure: "Direct Trade" made it possible to open up new paths – the mountain road was built, opening new routes, including distribution channels. Healthcare System: There is much to do – the local infirmary urgently needs a complete renovation; patient treatment is currently very limited. 

Financial Security: Fair remuneration for coffee farmers, for a secure future, also for the next generations. It is important for the coffee farmers in achieving this not to rely on donations, but to bring it about themselves, from the financial opportunities they gain through direct trade. 

Kaffeerösterei Kirmse in Zwiesel, or rather coffee roaster Jens Kirmse, sources coffee from the Dominican Republic directly from the Santana Trading Company without intermediaries. The connection to Kenny Santana and the Dominican Republic has remained beyond the journey. The goal of the Santana Trading Company is to bring a touch of Caribbean flair with exceptional and aromatic coffees to Germany for connoisseurs. You too can support the coffee farmers in San José de Ocoa by purchasing "Dominican Republic" coffee from Kaffeerösterei Kirmse in Zwiesel. In doing so, you can contribute to enabling 672 coffee farmers and their families to live the life they deserve. 

The Certification of "Dominican Republic" Coffee

The "Dominican Republic" coffee bears the "Direct Trade" certification. It meets the highest quality standards and impresses with its unique taste. Although it would certainly deserve further certifications, these are associated with high costs. 

Trust the word of Jens Kirmse:

„This coffee is the best coffee from the Dominican Republic and one of the best coffees in the world. 'Direct Trade' stands for direct, transparent trade and fair partnerships with the producers.“

Taste of Coffee from the Dominican Republic

The taste of coffee from the Dominican Republic is like the island itself: the coffee with Caribbean flair impresses with its exceptional aromas. Originating from the highlands of the jungle, this coffee convinces with an elegant mildness, low acidity, and its chocolatey note. 

Experience the Coffee Journey to the Dominican Republic Yourself

Experience, like coffee roaster Jens Kirmse, how coffee from the Dominican Republic is produced. Visit Finca Don Juan and see on-site the dreamlike enchanted forest where your coffee thrives, and participate in the coffee harvest. Combine your excursion with a trip into the Dominican jungle, discover the wild nature and waterfalls in the exotic hinterland of Ocoa. Taste the sweet nectar of the cocoa fruit on the Soto Santana families' coffee plantation. Visit the production facilities and see how coffee and cocoa are traditionally processed. You can learn about sights using a travel guide. 

Kenny Santana will show you the Dominican Republic far away from mass tourism. Get to know the country and its people, as well as the Soto & Santana families. Escape with him to the secluded Isla Saona to relax on palm-fringed sandy beaches and snorkel for giant clams in the turquoise water. Experience the Caribbean at its most beautiful and see paradise as it usually remains hidden from tourists; tread new paths like Christopher Columbus.

Jens Kirmse will gladly establish contact with Kenny Santana for you.

Gain further impressions of our coffee and the coffee journey – and watch the film!
Discover coffee roaster Jens Kirmse?