Carlos Durán was the founder of this farm in 1850 and has passed it down through his family different generations until today. The main cultivar found on this farm is 100 to 135 year old Bourbon varietals.The trick to keeping this variety productive for so long is by alternating between plants harvested every year. The natural cycle of a coffee plant is to produce every two years, however, humans have been able to stress the plants to produce every year. On San Carlos the plants remain productive and live longer by allowing plants to rest each year between production. Also stripping the plants of every leaf and cherry at the end of the harvest season helps keep their ancient Bourbons healthy and productive, through continuous regeneration.
