Mexico / Chiapas

This coffee comes to us from CESMACH, a cooperative of small coffee producers located in the buffer zone of El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, one of the most diverse forest reserve areas in the world. In the highlands of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, the reserve is home to Mesoamerica's largest continuous cloud forest, and is a refuge for thousands of plant and animal species. All of the coffee produced in this region is shade-grown, Fair Trade, and organic certified.

Founded in 1994, CESMACH (Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas) is known for striking a balance between business development and creating social programs to support their workers. Their values center on conservation of natural resources, promoting respect, loyalty, democracy, social involvement and non-discrimination. More than sixty percent of the member farms are certified organic, and premiums from organic coffee sales go back to the community by means of a shared savings bank so that members have financial support for improving their operations. 

The producers here have the advantage of many ideal conditions, including good altitude, a very lush environment, and high-quality coffee varieties like Typica, Bourbon, and Mundo Novo.

The grower members are passionate about quality and even though this region is not always thought of for exceptional lots, there is strong microlot potential from the groups we've been partnering with here. The area is very close to the border of Guatemala and that country's famous coffee region Huehuetenango: Some of the best of what we taste from those coffees is possible here as well.

TASTING NOTES: MOLASSES /// DRIED FRUIT /// CACAO